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Collin Matiza Sports Editor
FRENCHMAN Anthony Bourdon earned a decent win in the main MX1 Class of the opening Supercross meet of the 2023 Better Brands Petroleum Zimbabwe Summer Series event that was marred by some power cuts at Donnybrook Park Raceway in Harare on Wednesday night.
Hundreds of motocross fans made their way to Donnybrook to witness the first of the two Supercross (night racing) events of this three-day competition which has attracted more than 20 international foreign riders from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Germany, Australia and South Africa.
And there was no joy for Zimbabwean riders who couldn’t find a place in the top three places of the main MX1 and MX2 classes which went to the visiting foreign bikers.
It initially promised to be a good night of some Supercross racing but the event was marred by power cuts thatforced its organisers to reduce the seniors races from three to two heats while the juniors ones remained at three.
But this did not stop Frenchman Bourdon, who was mounting a Kawasaki, to come up with a strong message that he will be the man to beat in the main MX1 Class.
After coming second in the first heat to fellow Frenchman Desprey Maxime, on a Yamaha, in the opening heat, Bourdon came out with all his guns blazing in heat two to collect the maximum 20 points for a total of 37 points which helped him to carry the night ahead of Maxime (35 points) and another Frenchman Thomas Ramette (27 points).
Former Zimbabwe champion rider Jayden Ashwell, who is now based in South Africa, made a surprise appearance in the MX1 Class and he made his presence felt by coming fourth with 24 points.
But the organisers of the Zimbabwe Summer Series, the Bogwheelers Club, gave Bourdon a pat on the back for emerging as the top dog in the main MX1 Class on Wednesday.
“Congratulations to Anthony Bourdon who’s leading in the MX1 Class with Maxime Desprey just two points behind,” the Bogwheelers Club wrote on their Facebook page after Wednesday night’s race.
The race was the highlight of the opening round of the 2023 Zimbabwe Summer Series which gave the racers the chance to pick up some points in the different classes that they are competing in.
The points will count to the overall winner of each class who will stand to win part of the US$40 000 that is stake for this year’s winners of the series.
Local champion rider Daiyaan Manuel found the going tough in the MX2 Class in which he was forced to settle for fifth place with 21 points.
German rider Brian Hsu took first place with the maximum 40 points with a night of big highs and some frustrating lows.
Frenchman Pierre Goupillon collected 34 points for a secong place finish while his fellow countryman Hugo Monzato was placed third with 28 points.
The MX3 had no foreign riders and it was dominated by local racers Cameron Mellor, Dylan Zanin and Jordan Dewdney who took the first three places.
There was no joy for another top Zimbabwean rider Emile Croisette who came a disappointing fourth in the 125cc Class much to the disappointing of his father and manager, Joe Croisette.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports yesterday, Joe Croisette said his son could have performed much better had it not been for the power cuts.
“It was a good night. Unfortunately, there were power cuts on the track and it made the night long with some long waiting sometimes.
“They had to cut 1 heat so it was a two-heat event and Emile finished the night in fourth place . . . let’s say it was a mitigating night for him . . . he didn’t perform well at the starts.
“He was in position 3 during the two heats but two mistakes costed him position number one during the last lap . . . He made the same mistake for the two heats and same results . . . he didn’t race free . . . something kept him under his real speed . . . I still don’t know what happened to him, anyway, I think he knows what to do if he wants to grab a podium on Sunday,” Joe Croisette said.
Jamie Kerwin of the Bogwheelers Club also agreed that the power cuts spoiled their night.
“Things went well. We had a few teething problems with the lights but that is all rectified. The racing was unbelievable the best we have ever had,” she said.
The series returns tonight for another physically demanding Supercross race meeting which kicks off at 4pm.
Heats for tonight’s Supercross race meeting have be reduced by one lap to accommodate the freestyle riders and the parade.
Tonight’s Supercross race meeting be followed by a full day of some motocross racing on the final day of the series on Sunday at the same venue. Racing on Sunday starts at 9am with the entry fee still pegged at US$5 while children under the age of 12 will get in for free.
Online Reporter