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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
A HANDFUL of upcoming local motocross riders are set to benefit from a week-long training under the guidance of Joe Tavares of EMX Motocross Academy based in France.
Tavares arrived in Zimbabwe last Friday and got down to business on Saturday.
He is working with the Bako brothers — Emmanuel and Junior — Emile Croisette, Mudiwa Sakupwanya and Judah Sakupwanya.
The 55-year-old, who has been engaged by Emmanuel Bako’s father Brighton and Better Brands Petroleum, said his desire is to produce a world champion from Southern Africa.
“What happened is we are trying to work with some talented local riders. And we saw talent in Emmanuel Bako.
“So I have been in contact with his father for a few years now and we integrated him into a proper European team in South Africa. It didn’t work out the way we wanted because of logistics and so we tried to bring him overseas and there were also logistical problems with the local federation, getting licences and trying and integrating him into the European Series.
“We did bring some kids from South Africa and it was a very interesting exercise. But what we really want to do is I want to try and produce a champion from Southern Africa and we see a lot of talent in this young boy (Emmanuel Bako),” said Tavares.
The South African trainer is based in France where he runs the EHR Racing and EMX Academy.
“What I have also seen in my short stay here is that there’s a lot of talent here and the kids are very keen but they need professional training. And it’s sad in a way to see this potential and there is depth, but there is no training.
“In Europe, the kids start at a very young age and they actually even have to go through licencing system bronze, silver and gold before they can race in the track. So we are trying to bring that system, especially into Zimbabwe because we have found we have got infrastructure.
“And Brighton (Bako) has been incredible, he is very pro-active, very professional and he can also see where the challenges lie.”
Tavares, is an ex-South African rider and has been into training for about 20 years. He said his passion is to help youngsters with potential but do not have the opportunity and adequate funds to pursue their ambition.
He is scheduled to return to France this weekend but will return for the Zimbabwe Summer Series which is set to run from December 9, 10 and 11 at Donnybrook Park Raceway in Harare.
“I will come back for the Zimbabwe Summer Series but that will only be to really show the youngsters and the local Zimbabwean team how to prepare for a proper race, how to get the bikes ready, how to do the physical training.
“So really this week we have started with diet, mental preparation, physical training and conditioning and we do a classroom every morning so that they learn about braking, suspension and calibration. They learn about all the technical aspects of racing.
“This week we are doing a special programme where they will actually stay at the hotel with me. So in the morning we show them the correct nutrition, (we do) mental training, then we spent an hour in the gym, the small ones less, swimming, relaxation and yoga,” Tavares said.
He is hoping to have a Zimbabwean Junior Team at next year’s World Championships but admits it will take a lot of hard work. He is hoping Emmanuel Bako and Croisette can make it.
Emmanuel Bako said he is looking at improving on his techniques.
“So my expectations are to get better with my technique, my corners, my jumps. He (Tavares) is going to teach us how to scrub, he is going to teach us new advanced methods that have helped different European riders who are now world champions so we will be looking forward to it.”
Croisette shared the same sentiments as he said he is looking forward to the remaining few days.
“Training with Joe has been very good. He is very advanced in his training and I think that there is going to be some good results with this training and I am looking forward to seeing our results in the future with this training,” said Croisette.
Both Emmanuel Bako and Croisette are looking forward to producing some good results at next month’s Zimbabwe Summer Series after having learnt one or two new things from Tavares. Apart from the local riders, the 2022 Zimbabwe Summer Series is expected to attract top junior and senior bikers from South Africa, Zambia and Europe.
It will rev off with two Supercross (night racing) meeting on December 9 and 10 followed by a full day of some motocross racing on December 11.
Online Reporter