Pilane nervous ahead of super cycle debut
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday September 11, 2021 06:00
The 36-year-old is set to make his first appearance in the FIM sanctioned supercycle race in the third round of the World of Motorsport South Africa (WOMZA) held in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Pilane tasted a supercycle track for the first time ever a fortnight ago, as he finished second at the Redstar Raceway Beginner’s Cup held in Mpumalanga. Speaking to Mmegi Sport, the Tlokweng lad said he is having cold feet ahead of his debut. He will be in the street bike category, a new category and expects tough competition as the section is registering one of the highest numbers at the event.
“There are nerves, I am nervous. This is a much bigger race than the Redstar race. This involves all the national riders. The MSA (Motorsport of South Africa) series has been stopped indefinitely, so that means all the riders are moving on to the WOMZA series. So, there is going to be a lot of elite guys here. My expectation here is to come and do my best, pick any skill I can. But there is not going to be any pressure because am learning and it is my first time out here. I am new to this and I do not know how many of us are going to be here, but I hear there is a lot. I will only know of who I am up against tomorrow (Friday),” Pilane said.
The biker is the country’s first ever supercycle biker as the off-road and motocross have dominated the local scenes. Meanwhile, off-road Dakar Rally aspirant, John Kelly is enjoying a good time on the bike at the Kalahari Rally in South Africa. Kelly has bagged two stage wins on day one and day three.
After stage three, he was sitting second in the overall standings of the seven-day rally. Elsewhere, a group of local riders will be at the Gauteng Xcross Country Club (GXCC) series tomorrow. The local contingent, includes karateka Khaya Groth, Brady Armstrong, Kosmas Mamloukos, Teto Chibana, Victor du Toit, Dart’gnan Lobjoit and Boineelo Rantao.