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Enock Chikwata Sports Reporter
WHEN Italian female motocross legend Stefy Bau flew into Zimbabwe in December 2013, many people thought she was coming here for a holiday. However, the former three-time world women’s motocross champion was here for a mission to unearth a rough diamond.

That rough diamond is young female rider Tanya Muzinda (11) who is now set to embark on her maiden European tour this month.

Bau is now Tanya’s manager and is the one who has facilitated her tour of Europe.

The young motocross racer is expected to leave for Belgium on Tuesday accompanied by her father Tawanda and will be based in Lommel where she will be training before embarking on the month-long tour of Europe.

“This summer Tanya is headed for Europe to race against some top female European riders. She has been riding since she was five years old,” said Tawanda.

“Tanya is the first Zimbabwean female motocross athlete to be sponsored by KTM Factory Racing since independence.

“In preparation for the tour of Europe, Tanya has been training hard although at times she had to train without a motorbike as her bike had developed a mechanical fault.

“KTM Factory racing of Austria, who are her principal sponsors, managed to source another brand new bike for Tanya which she will be using in Belgium.”

A fund-raising dinner for Tanya was held on June 17 to raise money for her tour of Europe and various sponsors from the corporate world and individuals chipped in with cash while others made some pledges to assist the athlete.

The French Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Laurent Delahousse, organised the fund-raising dinner for Tanya while Tsitsi Mukonto of True Reflexion assisted in co-ordinating the event.

“Quite a substantial amount of cash was received during the fund-raising dinner. Several companies like Dairibord Zimbabwe, Schweppes, Nestle, Lafarge, Nyaradzo Funeral Assurance, and MBCA Bank chipped in with various donations and cash.

“There were other companies and individuals who also made some pledges like NetOne, Doves Holding, Econet, TIMB and Victor Gapare, who also made some pledges which we are still looking forward to receive,” added Tawanda.

Tanya will also be hosted by Italian motocross star Tony Cairoli.

Cairoli is an Italian eight-time Grand Prix motocross world champion and widely regarded as one of the greatest motocross riders of all time.