Africa-Press – Botswana. Motocross riders are billed for a thrilling showdown as the Kalahari Cross Country Racing club hosts that third round of the Botswana National Motocross championship on Saturday.
The fierce fight for motocross glory is slated for the scenic Mmopane motocross track near the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport on the outskirts of Mmopane.
Speaking in an interview on the sidelines of intense preparations for the racetrack on Thursday, Kalahari club chairperson Rose Mamaloukos expressed pride and readiness to host one of the country’s motocross flagship event.
Mamaloukos said the closely contested championship would also be used to select local riders who would take part in the FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations (MXoAN) championship penciled for Harare next month.
FIM Africa, the body that oversees the annual continental showpiece has confirmed that this year’s edition had been moved from Kenya to Zimbabwe.
Botswana’s highest finish at the competition was a fourth best finish and local leading rider Ross Branch remains the only rider to win the title in 2015 and 2016 before losing it on home soil in 2017.
Since then, local riders had struggled to secure a podium finish at any MOAX championship.
Some of the countries expected to give local riders a run for their money are the hosts Zimbabwe, Angola, Ivory Coast, Lesotho, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa, among others.
Botswana riders missed out on the 2024 edition in Marrakech, Morocco owing to logistical challenges and according to Mamaloukos, the Mmopane challenge is expected to produce fierce competition as riders vie for national team slots.
The Mmopane showdown is expected to be graced by amongst others sensational rider, Kosmas Mamaloukos, who is fresh from a resounding victory at the Khawa Dune challenge.
Undoubtedly the most decorated motocross rider, Mamaloukos, fondly known as Dudie, would be aiming to defend his crown from the first and second rounds.
Other interesting riders expected to push to their limits in the thrilling day long challenge include the fearless young rider, Bushe Moalosi, exciting youngster Setso Gareebine, Zameer Bodhanya and Jordan Maloba.
High-speed action is also expected amongst up and coming youngsters such as Kassandros Mamaloukos and Moatisi Tidi.
The organisers have revealed that there were a lot of new faces and new juniors joining the sport and would also be testing their sheer endurance and skill at the tough terrain.
The riders are expected to go for a kill in categories such as the MX 2 high class, MX 1 intermediate class, 50cc, 65cc, 85cc junior classes among others.
The much-anticipated motocross thriller promises not just fast two wheelers and fierce competition but also an electric atmosphere fueled by community spirit and a shared passion for off-road racing in a stinging cold winter breeze.
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