Asian Motocross resumes April 23

MANILA, Philippines - Action in the FIM Asian Motocross Series resumes on April 23 with the staging of the first Evelio Javier International Motocross Championships with a big field of local and international riders vying for top honors in Valderrama, Antique.

Kenneth San Andres, 2009 National Motocross Rider of the Year, multi-titled Jolet Lao and Cebu’s Jonjon Adlawan head the local roster in the event which also stakes a perpetual trophy for the rider to win the Valderrama leg for three consecutive years, according to the organizing National Motor Sports and Safety Association.

Ray Roquero, director of the sponsoring Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, said the PCSO is putting up the perpetual trophy award for the rider who snares the Valderrama leg for three consecutive years.

“The perpetual trophy will inspire and motivate the riders to do their best. It means they will have to come back to Valderrama again next year and the next,” said Roquero.

Mongolia’s Khaliunbold Erdinbileg, Japan’s Tomoya Suzuki and Iran’s Amirreza Sabetifar who took the top three podium slots in the PRO 250cc event in Puerto Princesa City last February, lead the foreign challenge.

San Andres finished fifth in the Palawan opener but vowed to do better this time.

Local boy John Paul Roquero, 15, and a native son of Valderrama who is competing in the Novice and Intermediate categories, also hopes to make good impression.

Other prominent riders competing in the three-day event are intermediate contenders Migi and Miko Tolentino, Veli-Gin Ramon, Omar Aman, Chadwick Garcia and Mark Gonzales as well as newcomers Moymoy Flores, Gabriel Macaso, Jetrick Marquez, Zyden Buse and Vincent Jimenez in the 65cc and 50cc categories.

A race for riders aged 12 to 15 is also set. Jean Erick Mitra topped the Junior 85cc event in the Puerto Princesa leg and is expected to have his hands full against competitors from Guam and two other riders from the US territory.