Local biker pens two-year deal with Kawasaki
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday January 29, 2021 15:47
Pepson Plastics is a South African-based franchise of American manufacturer and distributor of motorcycles. Lobjoit has an option of renewal. “Honestly, it feels like a dream come true. I have always believed in myself and my ability to ride a motorcycle, but to have a team believe in you and back you financially really makes all the blood, sweat and tears over the years all worth it,” Lobjoit said.
The Maun-based biker is in his fourth season as a professional. He together with Ross Branch made history in 2016 when they won the South African National Cross Country Championship (SACCS), becoming the first local bikers to achieve the feat. At the time, Lobjoit was riding in OR3 class and has since elevated to the OR1 class. Following his 2016 triumph, Peak Yamaha Team recruited him in 2017 and 2018, before he joined Shimwells Yamaha in 2019. With the support of a team, Lobjoit has told Mmegi Sport he is targeting both the SACCS and Gauteng Cross Country (GXCC) Championships. He will be one of Batswana bikers following the Toyota 1000 Desert Race (TDR) to Upington, South Africa after it was cancelled in Botswana. “I will be competing in the Southern African Cross County Series as well as the Gauteng Cross Country Regional Series. Both these Championships are in South Africa and I will be up against some of the best off-road racers Africa has to offer. These two series will be my primary focus and to win both championships is my goal for this year,” the two-time GXCC champion said.
Despite an impressive career on the bike, Lobjoit said the Dakar Rally was not an immediate priority. He has said he will not compete in the next edition. “Dakar is high up on the list for me, but I would like to head over to race ‘The Biggest Off-road Race on the Planet’ once I have left my mark in Southern Africa and have a few championships under my belt. I would like to have a long successful career in Rallies and believe I can but I need to get a few smaller rallies under my belt before tackling the Dakar.”