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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
BUDDING motocross riders Mudiwa and Judah Sakupwanya are scheduled to undergo an intensive three-month training stint in France as they look to improve themselves in a game they have shown so much potential.
The brothers, Mudiwa (10) and Judah (6), who are Harare businessman Scott Sakupwanya’s children, made their debut on the motocross track when they took part in the three-day Zimbabwe Summer Series which was held at the Donnybrook Raceway this last weekend.
France-based South African coach, Joe Tavares, has been drilling the pair together with other racers under the umbrella of Better Brands Petroleum Racing Team like teenage sensation Emmanuel Bako and Emile Croisette for the past three weeks.
Tavares is expected to further develop the duo in France.
In an interview with The Herald yesterday, Tavares expressed satisfaction over the manner the Sakupwanyas carried themselves in their debut race at Donnybrook at the weekend and confirmed the long camp in France.
“I was more than impressed with the attention shown by the Sakupwanya siblings on their debut race during the Zimbabwe Summer Series.
“They showed some good progress and we have somewhere to start from. We are trying to change everything from the mental and technical aspects and I am happy with how they are grasping the huge concepts,” said Tavares.
“You look at how hefty the competition was. They raced on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. And for them to just be able to endure the competition in an event they were participating for the first time is the stuff that good racers are made of.
“They did very well within their age ranks and the future is bright.
“I have also been hammering onto them the mechanics of the bikes in both Supercross and motocross.”
Tavares said he will be training the two along with Emmanuel Bako in France and in March the youngsters will also compete in junior championships in the United States of America.
“Yes, we are preparing to go for training in France early next year. We need to work with them over the next few months and we will have to put their teachers in place to take care of their academics as well.
“We are working on getting them to 80 percent and continue to work for the remaining 20 percent. We have to be systematic in both training and competition. Next year, we will enter the regional championships and then the nationals…
“We are looking at the bigger picture and probably we will also be going to the United States in March for a big amateur motocross event for the kids.
“It will help them grow in terms of confidence and technique.”
Team manager, Talent Million, said the Better Brands Petroleum Racing Team is keen to develop the sport of motocross in the country.
Besides the Sakupwanya pair and Bako, Better Brands Petroleum Racing Team has also adopted several other riders, including some from South Africa and France, to race under their stewardship
“The Better Brands Petroleum Team stable feels great to have had some of their riders clipping podium finishes during the just-ended Zimbabwe Summer Series.
“Emmanuel Bako, Emille Croisette, Mudiwa Sakupwanya and Judah Sakupwanya did extremely well for the team,” said Million.
“Judah came first in his first race and came second in the race that followed.
“Every racer from our stable grabbed podium places and we are seeing a lot of progress.
“We are planning to go to France for some months…”
During the weekend’s Zimbabwe Summer Series, Better Brands Petroleum Racing Team received a lot of support from several prominent people who included businessmen Mike Chimombe and Wicknell Chivhayo.
Former CAPS United chief executive and ex-Gunners Football Club owner, Cuthbert Chitima, and former secretary-general of the Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters Association, Fortune ”Giant” Bwoni, also rendered their support to the team.
Online Reporter