And if this is not enough, he is also making waves in local enduro riding circles.

Some would say the lad is a mom’s, or is it, a girl’s dream? Probably a little bit of both if you ask me. Mom just grinned and shook her head when I teased them about this.

Miguel Cavina started riding a quad bike when he was only three. “He was a natural,” says mom, Susan. On the quad, Miguel rode mostly farm roads – no competitive stuff. His dad also rides and of course, one thing lead to another.

And, as the lad grew, so did the size of bike he required. At age five, dad bought him a small Yamaha which was stolen and later found in the farm dam.

A Honda 50 followed, also mostly ridden on the farm, but he did compete in a number of races – and won, believe it or not. His first endeavour, at age 10, into authentic racing was in 2018 at the KMIA event.

He competed on an “old” Kawasaki, in the 65cc class. ‘Old’ meaning – not race-prepped and the rest – meaning also – let’s see if you have the talent required to compete… Miguel won the race with a “put that in your pipe and smoke it attitude” beating the second-placed rider by a full two minutes and 21 seconds.

This performance got him noticed and brought sponsorship from KTM in Nelspruit. In 2019 he competed on a KTM 65 in the local enduro series and finished in third place overall in his class. Not bad for his first full season of competitive racing.

“I learned a lot during 2019 and mostly on the technical side of racing – bike prepping and such. In terms of riding, I prefer technical routes though these are generally slower but require greater riding skills. One of the most important things I learned was to be more patient.”

In 2020 Covid-19 put a spanner in the works. “I won round one and two in the 65cc class – grew like a mushroom (says mom) and had to move up to 85cc class because I became too tall for the 65cc class.” He won round three riding the 85cc class. I won rounds four and five of the 85cc class and finished the last race – Loskop Dam – in 3rd place. “But of course, because of not having competed in all the 85cc races, I did not qualify for top honours.”

But he finished 2nd in both the 65cc and 85cc championships for 2020. “So 2021 is my year for winning the 85cc class and in 2022 we will tackle the Pro Mini class,” he said. “And we will also enter more national race events. I love the freedom of riding – the adrenaline – the focus it demands – the outdoors.”

“Becoming a professional enduro riding is a dream but should this not be possible, I want to farm with quarter horses and cattle, or work on a cattle ranch. I love everything country but the music.”

Whaaat?

“To be successful in sport, I think sportsmanship and a good attitude is critical and in enduro, one has to ride with your head,” he concluded our interview.

Wise words from a lad who, even at this young age, shows initiative and a willingness to work for he wants.