Championship too close to call in seven categories

Ssentamu (L) is eager to wrap up the Mx85cc whereas Bobo (R) must stave off Alestair today. PHOTOS JOHN BATANUDDE

KAMPALA- Riders assemble at the Uganda Sports Arena, Busiika for the fifth round of the Mountain Dew Motocross Championship today.

At stake are championship points in all the seven categories which are too close to call.

The riders will also want to ‘catch’ the eyes of the National MX Team selectors as they name the contingent for FIM Africa Nations Motocross Championship set for Zambia, August 24-26th. Last year Uganda finished 5th in Botswana.

Maxime van Pee, Team Uganda captain, is looking forward for today’s action in Busiika and expects a tight contest all around.

“This year it’s different, there is competition all round with no few than three riders competing for title in different categories,” the three-time national MX champion told the Sunday Monitor. “It shows there is improvement and good for sport.” Maxime is also happy with the youngsters with the training they have had under South African Neil Van Der Ross for over a week.

On the track which was used for the Pearl Rally, Maxime is satisfied with the grading they have done in the past three days.

“Part of the MX track was used for Pearl but it is now back to the MX standard. It has also been watered and it will be watered on Sunday (today) before action starts.

The highlight of is likely to be the battle in MX125cc between championship leader Ali ‘Bobo’ Omar and reigning champion Alestair Blick. The two are separated by only 13 points.

LEADERS AFTER ROUND FOUR
PeeWee: Ramathan Mubiru 199 points
MX50 Senior: Gift Ssebuguzi 220
MX65: Jeremiah Mawanda 188
MX 85: Fortune Ssentamu 231
MX 125: Ali Omar Yasser 220
MX2: Isma Mukiibi 203
MX1: Arthur Blick Jr 206