Bako back to winning ways

ZIMBABWE’S junior motocross champion rider Emmanuel Bako was back to his winning ways during the third round of the 2018 Inland Championship series at Dirt Bronco in Krugersdorp, South Africa, on Sunday where he clinched the 65cc Class title.

Bako (12) was back on the track after having finished second overall in the second round of the 2018 South African National Championship series at Pietermaritzburg the previous weekend.

Up until the April 7 race meeting at Pietermaritzburg, Bako had won all his races in the South African motocross circuit this year and on Sunday he swept the board in the 65cc Class.

The 65cc Class had a big field of 29 riders, including his main rivals in the South African motocross circuit Lukas Venter and Jordan van Wyk.

Bako also took part in the 85cc (Junior/ProMini) Class and did well in this division where he came second overall to crown a memorable day for himself and was crowned the best rider of the day.

There were 16 riders in the combined 85cc Junior and ProMini Class where Bako rode well to take a credible second place finish overall.

Mounting a brand new Husqvarna bike, Bako was extremely fast in both classes, lapping most of the 65cc riders and got both hole shots in the 65cc and 85cc (Junior/ProMini) races.

“I was not really happy with myself after coming second overall in the South African Nationals in Pietermaritzburg last weekend and I was determined to produce something special at this Inland Championship race meeting as all the top guys were in attendance.

‘‘So, I really needed to redeem myself at this event and I did just that.

“Dirt Bronco is now my favourite hunting ground. The track was good and well watered . . . I really felt good riding and fighting with the big boys in the 85cc (Junior/ProMini) Class.

‘‘So I’m really happy to take the second spot on the podium in this class.

“I’m very satisfied, it is always good to be on the podium, it is what we all work hard for so I’m pretty stoked. This weekend the starts were better than in the previous one,” said Bako.

His next race in South Africa round four of the 2018 Inland Championship - is scheduled for May 6 at Smoking Pistons in Johannesburg.

Sunday’s event at Dirt Bronco was attended by a large number of spectators and among them was Joseph Maguranyanga, a Zimbabwean engineer based in the Fourways area of Johannesburg, who was charmed by Bako’s exploits on the track.

“I didn’t know that we (Zimbabwe) have such a good young rider in this sport of motocross which I thought was for the elite people only.

This youngster is such a good rider and I think he will go places if he gets the necessary support back home,” said Maguranyanga from his base in Johannesburg on Sunday.