BY FRANK SSERUGO, CAPE TOWN
“My training, hard work and perseverance have paid me off.” These were Stav Orland’s words after winning the last and final heat of his MX2 Class at the FIM-AFRICA Motocross of African Nations Championship (MXOAN) in South Africa.
Training and hard work are key factors for any rider to win a heat or round in a Motocross event. These were the reasons Stav Orland winner of the MX2 Class title gave, after predominantly sweeping clean all the three heats of the MX2 category.
Stav, who has had chance to race in South Africa against the country’s best prior to African championship, also pointed out exposure as another factor for a rider to excel at different grounds.
“Am previledged to have trained and raced agaist the best in South Africa, it gave me an adage over other riders, honestly my training and hard work have paid off,” said Stav after winning the third heat of his MX2 class.
He added that, he waited the moment to beat the South Africans at their own back yard.
“I encourage other riders to get more exposure, test different race tracks, it’s the only way they can ably compete with other super nations,” Stav explained.
Great perfomances for Uganda were also witnessed in the 65CC,125, and Mx lite, with a heat1 podium for Jude Kyle Musedde in 50CC on Saturday, as hosts South Africa dominated the 1-2-3 positions in all junior classes plus seniors.
“I would like to thank Team Uganda. You have overcome so much, the uncertainty of the bikes stack at the airport for days, you did not have the benefit of testing the sandy track before hand, you only had one practice session on day one, stomached the scary incident of one of the team members and podium hopeful Fortune Ssentamu,” happily expressed the team leader, Reynolds Kibira after the race.
He added that; “Amidst adversity, believing against hope and giving their hearts out against Africa’s best, team Uganda you the best.”
With good outstanding results in 50CC,65, 125, and MX2, Uganda managed to finish second overall in 65,125 and MX2 classes,despite fifth overall finish Nations.
Uganda who for the last three years been third, went two positions low, behind South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia respectively due to demoralization, that brought about by delayed bike clearance from South African customs. Their bikes were delivered at last hour on Saturday, thus didn’t have enough time on their bikes before racing.
Next hosts for 2024 are Morocco, who only managed to field a team of three riders at this year’s edition.
Nations overall:
- South Africa 728
2.Zimbabwe 384
3.Zambia 233
4.Namibia 206
5.Uganda 191
6.Kenya 155
7.Botswana 82
8.Madagascar 27
9.Morocco 8
10.Lesotho 0
