Little action on two wheels in 2020
Barry Silah @obel_barry
Before the season came to an abrupt halt in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, only two legs of the motocross season had been run.
Indeed, before momentum set in, the government put a stop to all sporting activities and the riders just had to wait for the next course of action like everyone else.
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A few months into the ban, East Africa Motor Sports Club attempted to urge the Sports ministry to allow them to conduct events with less entries and fans but their pleas fell flat.
It was a year which saw a couple of high profile riders like Zenni Onditi and Ethan Nyachae miss out, joining a long list of competitors who had school commitments.
‘Oldies’ like Rohan Gandhi and Shivam Vinayak made a return in the first two legs like to battle out with the young charges in the MX1 and MX2 series.
Prior to sports suspension, the EAMSC management had planned a couple of build ups in Zambia and Uganda to test preparedness for what would have been a busy season which unfortunately was not to be.
In the two legs run at the traditional Jamhuri Motocross Park, the trio of Rolf Kihara, Kigen Kiplagat and Alex Kandie were the most effective in the top classes with good racing battles witnessed between them.
Also joining in the fray were lady riders Nandi Kiplagat and veteran Maxine Wahome.
The trio have grown in stature to replace the old guard like Cruz Muigai and Tutu Maina and are seen to be the stars of the moment alongside Ethan Nyachae who took a little sabbatical.
Other up-comers are Walter Kuria and Tai Wahome in the middle MX 125 CC who are also proving no pushovers with each moving day.
All bets
In the MX 85CC and MX 65CC races, Neo Wahome and Atete Benzinge were standout performers after winning all heats, while Mathenge Kamundia took the reins in the MX 50CC.
When sports in Kenya was reopened in October, only practice was allowed in the track albeit with limited interaction.
A few passionate riders were on track with their trainers under the heat and dust to keep up.
Siblings of Cherono Kandie and Alex Kandie were amongst the riders frequenting the Jamhuri race track.
EAMSC is planning a series of events next year to recover lost time starting with the local series.
