adminCollin Matiza Sports Editor
THE spotlight will this weekend fall on Zimbabwe’s Daiyaan Manuel and Jayden Ashwell when they rub shoulders with some of the world’s best motocross riders at the first-ever Monster Energy Supercross Africa at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa.
Manuel, who recently won the 50cc pro national title in South Africa, and Ashwell, the Zimbabwean MX1 Class champion, will lead a team of five talented Zimbabwean motorcycling riders at the Monster Energy Supercross Africa which has also attracted other top international competitors from the United States, Australia, France, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
The other top Zimbabwean riders who are expected to take part in this big international Supercross event are talented youngsters Emmanuel Bako, Lee Chigumba (Jnr) and Jordan Dewdney who will all join Manuel in the junior 50cc Class.
Zimbabwe’s champion rider Ashwell will be carrying the country’s flag in the main MX1 Class.
All the five Zimbabwean riders are scheduled to leave Harare today for Pretoria where they will first have a practice session tomorrow before they plunge into action the following day in the tough night racing event which is expected to draw a huge crowd of 30 000 Supercross fans from South Africa and all over the world.
Among the top international riders who have already confirmed their participation at this Saturday’s Monster Energy Supercross Africa are Jake Weimer, Josh Hill, Darryn Durham, Cody Gilmore (all from the United States), Frenchmen Adrien Lopes, Thomas Ramette, Jean-Baptiste Marrone and Mikael Musquin, Britons Jack Brunell and Adam Chatfield, Dutchman Jeffrey Meurs and two Australians Geran Stapleton and Tim Vare.
And Zimbabweans Ashwell, Manuel, Bako, Chigumba (Jnr) and Dewdney will join this field of worldclass motocross riders as they fight for the top honours in the different classes they will be competing in at what promises to be an exciting Supercross event.
In fact, on Saturday night, Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld will be hosting the greatest Supercross event ever staged in Africa when the field will be transformed into a giant Supercross track with tons of dirt and sculpted obstacles.
In what has been described as “the most physically demanding sport in existence”, the event will pitch some of the world’s best riders against local talent from Zimbabwe and hosts South Africa to compete for the monstrous US$50 000 prize purse.
Fans can look forward to jaw dropping displays of skill and speed by their favourite champions as they negotiate huge triple jumps and tight turns on powerful bikes, while engaging in Extreme Racing. By hosting the event at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, everyone will get an upfront view from their seat as riders rip it up in the ultimate adrenalin event.
With top international riders like Hill and Durham pitched against the next generation of stars, the battle for the winning position is going to be a fierce competition that will keep the fans out of their seats and on their feet.
According to reports from South Africa, the winner of the Monster Energy Supercross Africa will walk away with US$20 000, the second place will pay out US$10 000 and the third position will get a cool US$5 000, making Supercross Africa the biggest purse in South African motorsport.
The hefty purse is set to entice many more of the top riders, making it a race that no one will want to miss.
The event will also feature an FMX (Freestyle Motocross) segment where riders will be pushing the boundaries with their heart-stopping tricks and insane jumps.
South African motocross powerhouse Laren van der Westhuizen and former World and AMA champion Grant Langston will team up in the commentary box to give voice to all the action from the pits to the racing on the field.
Timed practice and two qualifying heats will kick-start the event at 5pm, followed by a FMX (Freestyle Motocross) show. A semi-final heat, before the Last Chance Qualifier, will see the 40-rider field narrowed down to the 20-rider final race.
The event’s final races will be held after sunset to allow for the full lights, Pyrotechnics and racing to reach a spectacular climax.
Other exciting activities, such as open pit areas and rider autograph sessions, will be available throughout the afternoon on Saturday with a massive after party set to round off the event.
Online Reporter