Atete Benzinge: Kenya’s undisputed queen of motorcross at just 15 years

Kenya’s Atete Benzinge is steadily establishing herself as one of the top women motocross riders in Africa. At just 15 years she is the two-time national champion and Motorcycle Sports Federation of Kenya (MSFK) lady rider of the year.

In one of her best outings, Atete displayed precocious skills to secure a third-placed finish at the International Federation of Motorcycling (FIM) Africa Motocross of African Nations (MXOAN) in Marrakech, Morocco, from October 25-27, last year.

The Brookhurst International School Year 10 student collected bronze in the Women’s Motocross (WMX) category with 47 points after finishing third in heats one and three, and second in heat two.

She finished behind Zambia’s Leah Heygate and South African Mienke Cawood, who bagged gold and silver after amassing 60 and 49 points, respectively.

Because of her sterling performance in Marrakech, Atete is now about to step onto the biggest stage of her career. She was selected to the African Team for the 2025 FIM Oceania Women’s Motocross Cup scheduled for next weekend.

Riders from New Zealand, America, Africa, and hosts Australia will compete in the prestigious event in Wonthaggi.

Atete is the youngest in the African team, which also has Heygate, 25, who is the captain, Uganda's Sharifah Kateete, 21, South African Zoe Botha,17, and Namibian Zoe Waldschmidt, 19.

From fifth place at MXOAN in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2023 to third place in Marrakech last year, Atete’s performance has been rising and rising.
How did it all start?

“It all started in 2015 when she was five-and-a-half years old after she saw lady rider Mali Nyachae at Jamhuri Racetrack in Nairobi. She was surprised that this male-dominated sport had a female. I told her it was possible and asked if she wanted to try it,” says Atete's father, Rene Benzinge.

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One week later, Atete was back at Jamhuri racetrack to start her motocross journey. “She trained for two hours using a trainer’s motorbike. On her way home, she surprised me by saying she wanted us to return to ride more,” said the senior Benzige.

The father got the enthusiastic daughter a second hand motorbike from one of the parents, and the girl and machine became inseparable.

“I looked for the gear and everything else she needed. She has progressed so well. She has represented Kenya for over half her life, riding in nationals and continental events,” said Rene.

Interestingly Atete, was also keen on football, swimming, hockey, and netball.

“But the more I focused on motocross, the less I played the other sports. But I’m still doing netball, basketball, and swimming, which also help with keeping fit,” said Atete, who has been to Uganda several times for the Central African Challenge Cup and ridden in South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Morocco.

At the beginning of 2024, Atete found out she was the only rider who had registered in the 125cc category in Kenya. With no competition she was forced to enter bigger class categories that combined MX1, MX2 and MX125 where she found herself competing against two of her coaches including Kenyan champion Apollo Mbuki.

“It was quite exciting. The coaches pushed me to get better,” said Atete.

In July 2024, Atete competed in the Uganda National Championship Round 6 in the MX 125. Being the sole female and teenager among 15 other riders, she stunned spectators by taking the holeshot -- the rider who is first to reach the apex of the first turn after the race starts, in Heat One. She ended up finishing third but had emphatically announced herself to the East African circuit.

“I feel very honoured and grateful that all my hard work has paid off for me to be selected for FIM Oceania Women’s Motocross Cup,” says Atete.

“I’m excited to go to Australia for the FIM Australia Women’s MX Cup. When they were selecting the team, they picked the top six in the continent.”
Atete is currently ranked third in Africa in WMX.

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One of the areas of motocross Atete feels she has to improve is her cornering. She thanks her parents for being very supportive since she started the sport.

“I have never had any sponsors. Motocross is not a cheap sport. Bikes, spare parts, and gear are expensive. Additionally, there is the maintenance of the bikes and replacing gear. As a child, you are constantly growing, so what you wear at the beginning of the year will not fit by the end of the year. But I’m grateful that my family has been able to support me throughout my riding career, including taking me to different countries to participate in different races,” said Atete.

A typical racing bike like the KTM 125SX according to ktmkenya.com could set you back between $3,500 (about Sh453,075) and $8,000 (Sh1,035,600), then there is regular servicing and maintenance.

“I’d also like to advise parents not to stop their children from doing sports. So long as it is a sport, it is better than sitting at home and being on television or spending time in malls. It is an activity that keeps them focused,” said Rene, sounding wise for her age.

Apart from motocross, Atete also plays netball and basketball for her school.

“I also swim to help with fitness and also play the piano,” the – student says.

How does she balance the demands of academics, sports, and piano? “In the beginning, balancing was much easier. I was able to train in motocross two to three times a week. But as I get older and advance in school, I can only train over the weekend, but I try to ride as much as I can.”

Her role model is Heygate, the seven-time Motocross of African Nations Ladies champion from Zambia.

“In 2018, when I went to Zambia for the MXOAN, she gave me a trophy as I was the only junior lady rider participating in the event in my category. It boosted my confidence to continue working hard and doing what I love,” said Atete.

Atetem who turns 16 in September, says the male-dominated motocross sport has helped her sharpen her riding skills. However, she is concerned that many racetracks she has been to, especially in East Africa, lack proper ladies’ facilities such as washrooms.

Atete, who is currently training in South Africa, wants to become the best motorcross rider on the continent, and beyond.