Moses Mugo splashing

PLEASANCE BACK IN THE GROOVE

Following the earlier humiliating defeat, Andrew Pleasance was back in the groove at the third round of the Kenya National Enduro Championship.

His victory was nothing to be sniffed at; though a welcome relief after Yamaha rider Shivam Vinayak beat him during the second round showdown in Il-Bissel in April.

Shivam was, however, the notable absentee in the third round when Pleasance (KTM 450) completed 8 laps in 2h06m40s to eclipse defending Champion Harry Guelker (KTM525) at the new Athi River circuit on Sunday.

Guelker, a veteran off-road stalwart, also managed 8 laps in the challenging black cotton soil circuit but trailed the victor with a huge 7 minutes margin.

Youngster Charles Mugo (Honda 450) completed the fashionable podium dash ahead of Joost Zuurbier to move up to sixth place in the Enduro table.  Charles also managed 8 laps within the cut-off time but slid to third what with an inferior timing of 2h22m37s.

Charles’ father Moses Mugo powered his KTM 525 bike to sixth overall sustaining what has been a thrilling blood rivalry in the National Enduro series.

In a bid to whip up the enthusiasm in the sport, organizers East African Motor Sports Club ran a separate quad bike category in which Peter Young emerged victorious after completing 6 laps in 1h42m06s. The Enduro championship has now gotten to the halfway stage with three more races in store.

RESULTS:

BIKES: 1. Andrew Pleasance 2.06.40 (8laps), 2. Harry Guelker 2.13.16(8laps) 3. Charles Mugo 2.22.37 (8laps), 4. Joost Zuurbier  2.08.55 (7laps), 5. S. Walimohammed 2.18.28 (7laps), 6. Allan Maina 2.22.44 (7laps), 7. Moses Mugo 2.21.34 (6laps).

QUADS:  1. Peter Young 1.42.06 (6laps), 2. Zane Young 2.24.52 (6laps), 3. Chantal Young 1.23.48 (3laps)
ENDURO STANDINGS AS AT RD.3
1. Andrew Pleasance  57, 2. Harry Guelker 43, 3. Joost Zuurbier  32, 4. Salim Walimohammed 21, 5. Shivam Vinayak  20, 6. Charles Mugo  19, 7. Tej Sehmi  17, 8. Allan De Boer 17, 9. Per Bjerre  15, 10. Ian Duncan  13.