Blick's team keen on a podium finish

By Johnson Were

The national motocross team is targeting a podium finish in the FIM-Africa Motocross Championship slated for Kitwe, Zambia this weekend.

The team members said the absence of some of their senior colleagues will not affect the quest for success.

The riders failed to make the trip because of financial constraints.

Team captain Arthur Blick Jr told New Vision before departure to Zambia that the team will do its best to get a podium finish.

“It is sad that we are going to miss our leading riders like Waleed Omar in the 65cc category, Wazir Omar and Ali Omar (85cc). But we shall do whatever it takes to perform well,” Blick stated.

Ali Omar is the current FIM Africa Central Africa Motocross Championship table leader in the 85cc category and was a silver medallist in last year’s event.

Blick explained that Uganda has entered a team of 17 riders in the event that has attracted seven African nations.

Blick’s team comprises Maxime Van Pee, Hood Semugoma, Alistair Blick, Paddy Blick and Ash Mbabazi.

Riders will also come from Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Kenya and the hosts Zambia.

The team is supported by a businessman Patrick Van Pee, the father of skilled rider Maxime Van Pee.

Van Pee senior footed the bill to transport bikes of the team heading to Zambia.

He also paid customs fees while City Tyres gave the team sh3m in cash. Uganda won the title in 2012 but lost to South Africa last year after finishing fourth.

Zimbabwe were second while Zambia finished in the annual competition.

RELATED STORIES:

German motocross trainer starts work

Motocross in dire straits