Online Reporter
Collin Matiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S motocross champion rider Emmanuel Bako has officially entered this year’s South Africa Supercross Series.
Bako (25), known for his speed in the South African National Championship series, will this year hit the SA Supercross gate aboard his KTM 250 SX-F, ready to fight for the title.
And the Zimbabwean rider said he is ready for the challenge in this newly-introduced motorcycling competition south of the Limpopo.
Bako wants to give it a shot and is ready to shake things up, proving he is among the top Supercross racers in the Southern African region.
“So, this race (or competition) is basically a series of its own, consisting of four rounds. Meaning four different events in four different cities in South Africa.
“Am really looking forward to it as the last time I raced was back in August in the FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations.
“And with that being said, I really enjoy racing Supercross. I look forward to it every year and yeah, I’m feeling really confident that I can do good.
“I’m coming back home to Zimbabwe on Friday from holiday and we’ll have a week or two to get ready (for the SA Supercross Series), so yeah it should be good,” Bako told Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday.
Bako will join a host of top South African male and female motocross riders for this series and they include veteran dirt bike rider Wesley Taylor. Taylor, a motocross veteran, will line up for the SA Supercross Series aboard his Yamaha YZ450F, bringing experience and determination to the gate.
He will be joined in this event by one of South Africa’s top riders Tristan Purdon.
Purdon brings championship pedigree, international experience and pure speed to the gate, ready to claim the crown as the “King” of South African Supercross.
SA Supercross recently announced the dates for the 2026 calendar and National Supercross Status.
The 2026 SA Supercross Series will be held over four rounds starting from January 31 in Johannesburg.
Round Two of the series will be held in Free State on April 11, followed by Round Three in Gqeberha on July 11.
The fourth and final round of this exciting competition will be staged on December 5 in South Africa’s Mother City of Cape Town.
A mouth-watering R37 500 prize money will be on the table as championship bonus money for positions 1 to 5 for each event.
The SA Supercross Series is South Africa’s first-ever Supercross series, delivering world-class racing, high-energy entertainment, and a historic moment for that country’s motorsport as they bring international-level adrenaline to African soil.
In addition, SA Supercross are currently in the process of affiliating with Motorsport South Africa (MSA) for the 2026 season and beyond.
Upon completion, the Championship will be officially classified as a National Supercross Series.
“This milestone reflects our continued commitment to growing Supercross in South Africa, raising professional standards, and creating a competitive platform for riders, teams, sponsors, and fans nationwide.
“As we move into this next chapter, we look forward to carving a new path alongside our partners, competitors, and supporters, and delivering a series that pushes the sport forward,” SA Supercross recently said in a statement on their Facebook platform.
Supercross is a thrilling, high-intensity indoor or stadium-based motorcycle racing sport that features dirt bikes tackling short, technical tracks with steep jumps, tight turns, and challenging obstacles like “whoops” and rhythm sections, offering a condensed, action-packed version of outdoor motocross for huge crowds.
Races are held in major stadiums mainly during the night, showcasing elite athletes on powerful 450cc and 250cc bikes, with events like the Monster Energy Supercross Championship and the FIM World Supercross Championship.
In essence, Supercross takes the core excitement of motocross and concentrates it into a high-octane, stadium-based spectacle, creating a unique and challenging motorsport.
