Talented Zimbabwean motocross rider Sean Mitchell will lead a strong 13-member local team at the Africa Motocross Championship at the Uganda Motosports Arena in Kampala, Uganda, this weekend.
The championships have attracted 100 riders from Uganda, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Kenya and Zambia. Mitchell, who recently changed bases from Belgium to England where he competes in the MX2 World and the British Championship, will captain the team which left for Uganda on Wednesday evening.
The Zimbabwean team to Uganda will include Tristan Granger, Mudiwa Chigumba, Kuda Mhene, Victoria Van Brenda, Jayden Ashwell, Mitchell, Phillip Dos Santos, Wade Ashwell, Tafadzwa Mawarire, Mike Mawarire and Regan Wasmuth. Gary Grainger, one of the country’s top motocross officials, will be team manager.
Mitchell, who won the continental title at last year’s edition in the MX1 Class (450cc) category in Harare, will be one of the stars at the championships and the Ugandans are wary of the threat he will pose. Ahead of his title defence, Mitchell has been training in Europe and will surely be the man to beat come tomorrow and Sunday.
“It will be a tall order for us because he has competed in the Italian and British MX championships,” said the Ugandan team captain Arthur Blick (Jr), who will compete with Mitchell in the MX1 category. He was interviewed by the Daily Monitor yesterday.
While the focus will be on Mitchell, the Zimbabwean pair of Granger and Ashwell will be expected to do well, as they have been in very good form in the South African championship.
Wasmuth is tipped to do well after winning a bronze medal in the 65cc Class at last year’s edition of the championship. Last year, Zimbabwe finished second behind South Africa on the overall standings with Zambia, Kenya and Uganda finishing third, fourth and fifth respectively.
