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GOING PLACES . . . Three-time world women’s motocross champion Stefy Bau of Italy (right) joins her protégé Tanya Muzinda (on the bike) and the young Zimbabwean rider’s father Tawanda for a photo shoot after yesterday’s Press conference at Cresta Lodge in Harare

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
FORMER world women’s motocross champion Stefy Bau has expressed her willingness to assist young Zimbabwean female rider Tanya Muzinda scale greater heights in the sport.
Bau arrived in the country on Monday after she was invited by Tanya’s father, Tawanda, to work with the young, talented rider ahead of this year’s Zimbabwe Summer Series at Donnybrook on December 7, 11, 13 and 15.

Bau is based in Florida, United States, and owns the 211 MX School, an elite motocross academy. She has worked with women from various backgrounds who have the passion for the sport.

“Yes, I have an international school in the United States. I do try a lot to teach motocross in a smart way and in a safe way because it is a dangerous sport so it is good to know how to be safe on it and still have a lot of fun,” Bau said yesterday during a Press conference at the Cresta Lodge in Harare.

The 36-year-old former world champion, who started racing at the tender age of four in Italy among boys since there were no girls of her age to compete with, feels she shares the same story with nine-year-old Tanya Muzinda in taking up the minority sport.
“First of all in my opinion it is unique in a country where motocross is not top on the line of sport, we have a little girl doing it. So that only its a unique sign and I associate with it because in a way it’s kind of my life. I started in Italy as well and there were no little girls doing the sport so I kind of feel that we have a story in common

“I started as a little girl just like Tanya, I was four years old when I started racing in motocross,” said Bau.
Bau said they are hoping to have Tanya in the United States next year so that she can be exposed to a higher level of competition.
“I think Tanya has taught herself the way of just working hard and she would be successful because of that.

“Hopefully I will keep in touch with Tanya the entire time and hopefully we will be able to bring her to the United States next year about this time. It’s definitely on the plan to try and bring her to the United States because I think if she gets exposure to that type of reality, she is going to become a quicker rider too because the competition there is really stiff.

“You can only get better if you confront yourself with better riders, so we will try and bring her to the United States. It will be the next step but before doing that I might be able to come back again (to Zimbabwe) to give her a refreshing type of training. But with the means of communication today we can also be in touch by internet so I can definitely keep an eye on her from now on to the future,” said Bau. Italy-born Bau said she is looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship with Tanya.

“I was actually very impressed about the facility (at Donnybrook). There are three tracks over there so it’s pretty impressive. Sometimes you don’t even find that in the United States so it’s very good to have a facility this close to the city and with many tracks in it.
“When we rode yesterday (on Tuesday) with Tanya she was very up there. I was very impressed to see her with that quick ride off and I am sure there will be more technique that we will be able to teach her. She is going to improve so much, we will see in the results.
“I hope this is going to be a really long time relationship. I would really love to be friend with Tanya, be like a mentor to her for the rest of her life. So everything I can do to help her I will definitely do that for sure,” added Bau.

Motocross is considered to be an expensive sport but Tanya’s father Tawanda said money does not count much if one has the passion for the sport.

Meanwhile, Big “Bigs” Chitima, a member of the Bogwheelers Club who run motocross in this country, yesterday paid tribute to Tawanda Muzinda for bringing Bau to Zimbabwe and said this was an excellent opportunity for young rider Tanya Muzinda to train under a world renowned trainer like the Italian legend.

“(This is an) excellent opportunity for Tanya to be in direct contact with a been there and done (that) successfully. This should be a well-deserved morale-booster for her for sure. Well done Tawaz (Tawanda Muzinda) for doing this for your little one and for also getting Stefy to come and see Africa and in particular Zimbabwe,” Chitima said. And young Tristan Grainger is now out of injury and back training, getting ready for the Zimbabwe Summer Series. Tristan, son to Gary Grainger the current Bogwheers Club chairman, missed most part of this season due to a leg injury but Temba Mazvimbakupa of the Zimbabwe Motorsport Federation said the talented young rider has now fully recovered and will be back in action during the 2013 Zimbabwe Summer Series.