NAIROBI, Kenya 11th April – If torrential rains fail to subside, mastery of muddy conditions will be key to winning races in the third round of the Kenya National Motocross Championship at Jamhuri Park racetrack scheduled for this Sunday.
As most motocross races in Kenya traditionally being held under dry and dusty conditions, wet and slippery surfaces will be an unusual test for championship contenders.
It will thus be interesting to observe which rider is the smartest in the three heats per event during which time most of them will be using the KTM bike.
Apollo Mbuki will be the rider to watch in combined MX2 and MX1 heat runs following his exploits last month in round two where he outlasted all and sundry thus earning himself a standing ovation from the gallery.
During round 2, Mbuki was leading the pack prior to suffering the misfortune of falling off his Honda 250 four stroke bike.
Mbuki was spotted at the Jamhuri park track on Wednesday in devastating form having come to grips with the contraption and would wish to prove that his aggressive riding on his very first outing with the new bike was not a fluke.
Mbuki’s charge for the top honours again is envisaged to receive challenge from his MX2 advesary Ivan Guya and MX1 speed merchants Tutu Maina and Shivam Vinayak.
Dekker Kihara who has taken the driving seat in the MX 50 Class at 114 points is highly tipped to continue reigning supreme but may have to contend with swift challenge from Tai Wahome and Dylan Mutahi who occupy the second and third positions at 104 and 92 points respectively.
Others in the fray for the budding dimunitives include Jet Tankkunen, Xavian Walimohamed and Alex Musyoka.
MX 65 Class has equally elicited interest with series leader Ethan Nyachae and Maina Wanjigi who share a run-away lead at 97 points preparing for battle royale.
Nyachae was the round one king while Hays ruled the roost in round 2 and predictions have it that either of the frontrunners, not least Wanjigi, is capable of carrying the day.
The MX 85 Class which has comparatively attracted most riders will have big names on the parade in the form of Elias Sherman and Githuku Mungai.
Githuku won the first round while Sherman was second to non in the second, which makes it an interesting renewal of rivalry between the two.
So far, MX 85 is a cut above the rest in the categories as it has attracted most riders with 14 of them already accumulating points.
Rohan Gandhi has been a revelation in the MX 125 Class having won the last two events and a lot is thus expected of him, but he has to be wary of being taken head on by Masalule Kituyi who he narrowly edged in the first event, alongside Samir Anwar and Walter Kuria.
