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Collin Matiza Sports Editor
AFTER making a grand entry into the tough world of Superbike racing under the Monroe Racing Team of South Africa this year, exciting young Zimbabwean female rider Jessica Howden has been “poached” by another South African team – Otto Racing Team – which she will join for the 2019 season.

Otto Racing Team revealed yesterday that they have recruited the promising 15-year-old Zimbabwean rider who will be joining forces with one of South Africa’s top female riders Zante Otto and her brother Ricardo Otto next year.

“The Otto Racing Team will be running a 3-rider line-up for the 2019 season again, but with 2 ladies this time! Our 3 riders will be: Zanté Otto, Ricardo Otto and Jessica Howden.

The team is really happy to have Jessica on board for the 2019 season and really look forward to working with her,” Otto Racing Team wrote on their Facebook wall yesterday.

Howden’s new teammate Zante Otto rode for the Monroe Racing Team this year before she also decided to cross the floor and join the Otto Racing Team.  But it is Howden’s decision to “ditch” Monroe Racing Team for Otto Racing Team that has not gone down well with the former team who yesterday expressed their disappointment over this latest development.

When contacted by The Herald yesterday, Vic Rich of Johannesburg-based Monroe Racing Team confirmed that two of his proteges, including Howden, have left his team and will be racing for Otto Racing Team next year.