By MULWANDA LUPIYA
SOUTH Africa on Sunday retained the 2014 Africa Motocross Championship title.
South Africa, comprising Tyron Beverly, Brittany Cuthbert, Geoff Den, Peter Thompson and Nanda Swiegers, had a torrid time to win the championship as they were tied on points with Zimbabwe at Mindolo Dam Motocross Track in Kitwe.
The event attracted 150 riders from seven countries.
Both South Africa and Zimbabwe finished with 646 points but were separated by count-out points.
Hosts Zambia were third on 523 points while Kenya were fourth on 221 points.
Zambia won the best individual performances by teenage Bradley Lionnet and veteran Dale Holiday.
Lionnet and Holiday were a marvel to watch in the MX2 and veterans categories.
Other Zambian riders who competed in the event are Mark Bradford, Leah Heygate, Ross Shiel, Kyle Bohling, Robert Kamanga, Mark Kanyanta, Mweembe and Rory Donaldson.
Uganda and Botswana finished fifth and sixth on 184 and 166 points respectively.
The 16-year-old Lionnet was rewarded with US$5,000 (about K30,000) courtesy of Mopani Copper Mines for winning a special race of four laps.
Zambia Motocross Association president Marco Comana described the event as a success.
Mopani chief executive officer Danny Callow reaffirmed his company’s commitment to the development of sport in the country.