ADIL KHAN TRIUMPHS

It’s turning out to be one of the most exciting Motocross seasons in recent times with high-octane rivalry promising great moments ahead at the halfway stage. Rightly so, the H20/Oilibya National Motocross Championship headed to its fourth meeting with a new winner in Adil Khan realized at Jamhuri Park on Sunday.

Moodey Rallye rider, Adil, rode an ex-Cruze Muigai KTM 85 machine to his first ever career win at MX85 as round three winner Eugene Maina had to contend with second overall.

“I am feeling extremely happy to win my race today. Of course the bike is the winners’ material and I am very grateful to Cruze who gave me his works super duper bike. Well, I am motivated to win the title this year if the machine doesn’t let me down. I definitely missed my fellow competitors who are Ivan (Guya) and Davide (Bernardi) and wish them both a speedy recovery,” said Adil as he clung to the top of the table with 206 points against Eugene’s 188.

  Adil and Eugene have been riding at the crest of the waves, incidentally, in the absence of Davide Bernardi and Ivan Guya who sat out of the weekend action owing to injuries sustained in the third round.

It will be interesting to see an anticipated Guya and Davide’s comeback in the fifth round All in all, the distinct affinity for speed and grace was what really steered Apollo Mbuki (MX65), Cruze Muigai (MX 2) and Shivam Vinayak (MX1) to their fourth straight wins of the season. The three riders have won all the four rounds at stake and are on the verge of making a giant stride towards their maiden championship victories at respective categories. Murigu Njiiri won his race to stay ahead of the MX50 but had his perfect score attempt on round 4 erased by fats rising Owain Ashley who denied him the last heat.

The affable Shivam averred he is inspired to now make a flawless championship win “and the idea is to win every single heat and become the first rider to win all classes right from MX50 through to MX1.”

Shivam was quite enthusiastic as he overcame teething problems of the new and powerful four- stroke Yamaha 450 in his fourth straight win “The first two heats were quite difficult as I was coming to grips with the 450 bike. I got used to it in the second heat and it was maximum attack in the third,” said Vinayak who has upgraded from 250 four-stroke.

Former three-time Open Class (now MX1) Champion Anthony Nielsen came back from a prolonged sabbatical to grab second overall. Cruze was trim on his jumps and cornering and as MX2 and MX1 went through their heat runs simultaneously, he was even competing to catch up with Shivam. Tutu Maina also made a comeback from injury and managed second while trying to come to terms with his new 250 four stroke contraption.  Cruze was all smiles: “It’s a really good feeling to make a fourth straight win. Tutu came up very well and I must congratulate him for his fighting spirit,” said Cruze.

ROUND 4 RESULTS:

MX 50: Murigu Njiiri (KTM) 57; Owain Ashley (KTM) 54; Ryan Bailey (KTM) 43; David Murigi (KTM) 41; Alistair Diniz (KTM) 33; Nikita Sehmi (KTM)30; Benni Kahumbura (KTM) 27.

MX 65: Apollo Mbuki (KTM) 60; Samir Anwar (KTM) 51; Karan Sehmi (KTM) 45; Walter Kuria (KTM) 37; Githuku Mungai (KTM) 32; Rafe Trundell (KTM) 29.

MX85: Adil Khan (Yamaha); Eugene Maina (KTM); JJ Kahumbura (KTM) 45; Ted Wanday (KTM) 41; Masalule Kituyi (KTM) 35; Mwai Kibaki (KTM) 31; Gitahi Mwangi (KTM) 27.

 MX 2: Cruze Muigai (Yamaha) 60; Tutu Maina (KTM) 51; Salim Walimohammed (KTM) 45; Jordan McLoy (Yamaha) 39; Michael Smith 33.

MX1: Shivam Vinayak (Yamaha 450) 60; Anthony Nielsen (Yamaha) 450; Charles Mugo (Honda) 45; David Lawrence Brown (Yamaha) 43; Harry Guelker (KTM) 32; Ken Anunda (KTM) 29; Louis Dirnboeck (Yamaha) 29; Moses Mugo (Yamaha) 24; Jorgen Nielsen (Yamaha) 10; Isaac Kuria (KTM) 14.

STANDINGS AS AT 4^th Rd.

MX 50: Murigu 240; Owain Ashley 210; Ryan Bailey 170;

MX 65: Apollo 240; Samir 200; Karan Sehmi 157

MX85: Adil 206; Eugene 188; JJ Kahumbura 158

MX 2: Cruze 240; Tutu 153; Salim 131

MX1: Vinayak 240; DL Brown 166 C. Mugo 162