The first day of the long-awaited return of the Mountain Dew FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations (MXOAN) to Uganda lived up to the hype, and the fans were surely in for a treat. The event kicked off Saturday, August 20, 2022 in the morning with the practice runs in the muddy, and Victoria race-way track. It was a wet morning and afternoon as the riders started off their practice runs, Morocco and the DRC unfortunately dropped out of the competition due to logistical issues and the bikes of the Botswana team didn’t arrive on time but the remaining countries suited up and got ready to put their best foot forward literally.
The MX 1 category were first on the track, and they got to the first feel of how extremely the track was going to be. They came in full force and team South Africa dominated through almost all categories with stiff competition from Zambia and with home advantage and cheering fans, team Uganda. The Clerk of the Course changed the track for the women in motocross, 65cc, and 50cc classes as it got harder to go through for the young ones.
The riders had a briefing then were set to do the first heat of the day which had fans at the edge of their seats, hearts racing to see who will come out on top. The practice runs were as tough on the bikes as the riders with the slippery and wet track taking its toll on them.
As the first heat of the day was set to go off, Ugandan team captain Alestair Arthur Blick was keen to score big for his country saying this meant a lot to him and fellow riders, some of them being their first-time taking part in the FIM event. Alestair last competed in the event in the peewee class, so this was also a surreal experience for him. He represented in the MX 1 category and suffered a bad fall that left him in third position behind Zambia’s Scott Heygate and in first place was South Africa’s best, Jayden Proctor. The Ugandan fans did a phenomenal job of cheering on every Ugandan and Alestair felt the love. In fourth place for heat one was Kenya’s Rolf Kihara, scoring points for Uganda in fifth place, Robert Jjingo, and in sixth was Kevin Willi Schmid riding under a White Bib.
In the classes that fielded the most riders, the young ones were a joy to watch and an inspiration. The 50cc and 65cc categories did not disappoint, team Uganda managed to score two podium wins in Miguel Katende’s third place finish after a fall in 65cc and Isaiah Larry Ssekamwa’s third place in 50cc. The youngest class (50cc) had over thirty-four riders across the competing countries and this was a really good picture painted for the future in motocross. The 65cc class had twenty-eight, Aiden Retief and Casey Tilley of South Africa took first and second place respectively in that class; Ross Mackenzie and Lou Rademeyer came first and second respectively in the 50cc class also from South Africa.
In the most fun and nail-biting race of the day, Uganda’s Malcom Gift Tabula Ssebuguzi took the MX Lites (85cc) class by storm; the very cautious and confident youngster had everyone on the edge of their seats. His speed and steady progress earned team Uganda its first number one podium win and this class had the loudest cheers and energy. Blade Tilley and Caden Weise of South Africa were on his tail throughout.
Kylan Wekesa also put on spectacular performance and held his own after being held back by the gates, he came from behind and finished second in the MX 125 as the Ugandan fans cheered him on. Fatuh Kiggundu represented Uganda beautifully, landing in second position in the MX 2 class.
The track was extremely tough but Ugandan riders held their own alongside riders from other African countries. As day one closed, South Africa was in the lead with a total 228 points, Zambia in second place with 223 points, Uganda in third with 178 points, and Kenya in fourth with 106 points.
