Wahome claim top as new entrants impress in Motocross Champions
Shivam Vinayak and Tai Wahome were exceptional as the Kenya National Motocross Championships 2020 season returned at a mud-soaked Jamhuri Park yesterday.
Wahome took the MX 125 Class as he cruised with 60 points off three heats ahead of Alex Kandie, who was runners-up after amassing 51 points.
Cousins Dylan Mutahi and Christian Chege were strong behind in the race which was occasioned by sizzling speeds on track. Samuwel Magwa was last in a difficult run for him after struggling with bike balance.
In the combined MX 1/MX 2 Class,Vinayak was boss after clinching all heats ahead of the dynamic Maxine Wahome. The duo went head-to-head in a tasty battle but the former was on point particularly in the speed zones and tight end corners.
Kigen Kiplagat and Githuku Mungai had difficult sessions and never finished their races altogether as their bikes failed to handle the difficult terrain.
“It was fun and tricky at the same time. Big respect to the riders for turning up. As for me, I just had to be careful in the terrain which also saw many bikers struggle.
It was great and I look forward to many more battles plus additional numbers,” he said.
Ugandan guest riders Kylian Wekesa and Fortune Sentanu showed good competition but could not be ranked, however, since they were on practice.
The MX 85 Class saw Neo Wahome win easy as he put 60 points in the bag during round one of action.
Tanav Choda, who won the overall title in the category last season, hand to contend with second place this time while Alex Njoroge was last.
After the season opener, organisers are predicting much bigger interest especially from new entrants to replace those who will be out.
Riders have also replaced classes with Kandie and Mutahi moving to MX125 class with Tanav Choda also moving upwards from MX 50 to 65 CC alongside Ogwe Ngonga.
With the Continental Championships looming, the riders will not have to rest they will have to begin early prepartions.
“We have an opportunity to grow new champions. New entrants will be necessary so that there is continuity.
Parents should make the move to introduce young ones into the sport,” said former East Africa Motor Sports Club chairman Ndegwa Wahome.
Older riders like Apollo Mbuki, Tutu Maina and Vinayak are coming back to refresh and compete with the new entrants as a way of motivating them.
