Ugandans out to floor Kenyans

By Feverpitch Reporter

Stiff competition is expected at Jamhuri Park race-track on Sunday with the arrival of Ugandan Asaf Natan for the Car & General-sponsored FIM Central Africa Motocross Challenge.

Israeli-born Natan is seeking to reclaim the regional title that has eluded for a long time. According to Clerk of the course George Guya, the bulk of the Ugandan team arrived on Friday.

The Ugandan team will be spearheaded by their defending MX1 Champion Arthur Blick Junior and Natan, who will be riding a 2010 Honda 450cc model. Ugandan Team Manager Joseph Mwangala is optimistic of beating the Kenyans at home today.

"We have several of promising riders. We have Maxime Van Pee (MX1), Yanick Duyck, Talha Kiggundu, Fatuh Kiggundu and the youngsters of Alistair Blick, Ali Omar and Wazir Omar.

The Kenyan team assault will be led by skipper Shivam Vinayak, who is coming from victory in Ganatra/Garmin Cross country bikes class victory in Seelenkai last weekend.

"It was unexpected because after last Saturday’s event, I was lying 20th out of 45 because I got lost. On the second day I thought I would try not to lose it. But to have a win in the opening round of the Cross-Country season is unbelievable," said Vinayak.

Vinayak hopes to win everything he could on two-wheels this year. These include the National FIM Central Africa MX, Cross Country and Enduro championships.

Kenya’s MX50 leader Maina Wanjigi, Jesse Waithaka, Benni Kahumbura and Dekker KIhara are all set for today’s action. Kenya’s MX65 class team has Jeremy Waithaka, David Murigi, Rolf Kihara, Ryan Bailey and Owain Ashley among others.

Kenya’s MX85 has the likes of leader Masalule Kituyi, Karan Sehmi, Rohan Gandhi and Samir Anwar. In the 125cc class are series leader Ivan Guya, Adil Khan, Mwai Kibaki and Ted Wanday while cousins Tutu Maina, JJ Kahumbura and Cruze Muigai lead the charge at MX2 class.

Charles Mugo, Moses Mugo, Shivam and Allan Maina will keep the country’s flag flying at MX1.

Ugandan team: MX50: Wazir Omar (KTM Sx 50),Waleed Omar (KTM Sx 50), Sentamu Fortune (KTM Sx 50), Paddy Roldin Blick (KTM Sx50), Joshua Mwangala.

KTM Sx 50: Habibu Kiggundu (Yamaha), Ben Nsumba (KTM Sx 50), MX65: Ali Omar (Ktm Sx 65), Alestair Arthur Blick (KTM Sx65) Mx85: Talha Kiggundu (Kawasaki) Fatuh Kiggundu (Honda) MX2: Jaidi Kiggundu( Suzuki); Abdul Damba (Yamaha); Emma Lubowa ( Suzuki).