Kenya, Uganda to renew rivalry at season-ending FIM Africa Motocross in Vipingo
Atete Benzinge in action during a past race
Kenyan and Ugandan riders are expected to renew their rivalry during the second and final round of the FIM Africa Central Africa Motocross Challenge this weekend.
The Mombasa Motor Club-organised event will be held at the Vipingo Ridge racetrack. For home riders, the event will also count towards the ninth and final round of the Kenya National Motocross Championship.
With epic jumps and a myriad of twists and turns, the CAC season-ender will be fun for riders of all classes.
Apollo Mbuki, the Captain of Team Kenya at the 2024 Motocross of African Nations (MXOAN) in Morocco MXOAN, will represent his country at MX1.
Also riding for Team Kenya will be lady rider Atete Benzinge who hopes to win her class in the male-dominated sport.
Ugandan riders showcased their prowess in leg 1 of this two-round FIM Africa CAC event in March at E-villas in Kalisizo Town Council in Kyotera District.
But Kenyan riders will be hoping to outclass their track adversaries in Mombasa.
Uganda won the first round of the CAC with a cumulative total of 1,540 points against Kenya's 179.
Regardless of round 1 standings, the rush for points will add the much-needed zest to the regional series.
The CAC showpiece is the equivalent of "Elgon Cup" in rugby and "Victoria Cup" in Golf, where Kenyans and Ugandans compete in a home and away format of the competition.
Fortune Emmanuel Ssentamu, Ashim Sserwadda, Isima Mukiibi, Wazir Al-Muzahim Ali Omar are expected to shine for Uganda at MX1.
Ugandans are enjoying top form, having already outpaced their Kenyan race counterparts during the 2024 Motocross of African Nations (MxOAN) in Marrakech, Morocco.
The Motocross Cranes (who are also the defending CAC Champions) displayed speed and teamwork at the 2024 FIM Africa MXOAN in Morocco, taking home the silver in the team rankings.
Led by Captain Stav Asiimwe Orland, who won gold in the MX2 class, Uganda amassed an impressive 479 points as Kenya settled for fifth overall
Marrakech was a good outing for Kenya, who were picked as hosts of the prestigious MXOAN in 2025.
The 2024 MXOAN was attended by 12 African countries pitting the best of the African MX riders against each other.
Team Kenya's 50cc and 65cc teams took the overall third country positions with some sterling individual performances from the young ladies: Chiara Hatanga and Jematia Kangongo took second and third places respectively in the 50cc ladies class.
Ciara and Kagongo will be competing in Vipingo.
Benzinge emerged top senior lady rider in the East Africa region with a third-place podium finish in the WMX senior ladies class.
