Local riders shine in Zimbabwe

MOGOMOTSI BUZWANI
Correspondent | Wednesday September 29, 2010 00:00

 Club chairman, Gregg Armstrong, said their performance surprised the hosts with most of the eight riders competing well. He told Mmegi Sport that the club performed well though it was their first regional competition.'We travelled to Zimbabwe and did well. We actually took our hosts by surprise,' Armstrong said.

He said 125cc rider, Damian De Sousa, gave a fantastic performance, and came third out of 15 riders. 'We will cherish the podium finish as it was Lobelo's first trophy won outside Botswana,' he said.

Brady Armstrong was impressive in start line grid of 12 riders. Working alongside team-mate Joshua Potts, he challenged for the front position, but eventually finished fifth in the 65cc class. Maun-based rider, Potts rode well but failed to clinch a podium finish as he was placed sixth in the 65cc class.

Armstrong said Zimbabwean racing officials were impressed with the high standard of riding from the Francistown club. 'We have been invited to return in October for the Harare Donnybrook track race and again in December,' he said.

The riders are training at their home track under coach Nelson De Sousa, about 15km outside Francistown. For the Harare trip, the club hopes to take more of their upcoming riders such as Junior Mangole who has just graduated into the 85cc class, and senior local rider Clayton Davis on his 450cc bike. 

Locally, Lobelo riders, who use Kawasaki bikes travel to Gaborone on October 9 to compete in the final GMC racing event. Armstrong said their aim is to participate in South African races next year. South African motorcross team captain, Ross Branch has shared his riding experience with the Lobelo riders. Lobelo was officially registered as a club at the beginning of September. Soon after, the club's home track was certified as meeting the Motorsport South Africa (MSA) standards.

This now opens doors for international riders from countries such as South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe to compete at the Francistown club.