Stapleton leads int'l riders in world motocross series

MANILA, Philippines - Dennis Stapleton led a mighty 1-2-4 American finish in the trials of the International Open side of the 2011 Enersel Forte World Motocross Series which got under way at the Sta. Barbara race circuit in Barangay Kamambogan, Sta. Barbara town over the weekend in Iloilo City.

Stapleton, riding in a 450 cc Honda racing bike, beat Tiger Lacey and local bet Glen Aguilar in a mad race to the finish to earn grid position in the final of the centerpiece event of the two-day classic.

Another US campaigner, Jacob Locks, ended up fourth as riders from the US threatened to dominate 12-lap event at the 1.2-kilometer winding circuit.

Hundreds of motocross enthusiasts watched as some 200 participants in 20 categories strutted their wares in the double jump, double jump and the most difficult hoop deuce obstacles.

In the end, Stapleton emerged the best as he beat all comers of the 17-man field of the International Open, including brothers Daniel and Kai Sedlak of Germany.

A 2007 Dubai Motocross champion, Daniel, 22, finished only 13th, or fourth from the last.

Kai proved the better rider as he wound up sixth.

Aguilar, now 36 and coming out from almost two years self-imposed retirement, emerged the top local bet in the absence of fellow Golden Wheel awardee Donark Yuzon and Jayvee Saulog.

Yuzon withdrew at the last minute due to illness, while Saulog showed up his left arm in a brace following a recent accident.

Aguilar, the pride of Las Piñas City and riding in a slight inferior 35 cc KTM bike, took the challenge as he came through with spectacular stunts to the delight of the crowd.

“Still feeling rusty, but I still have a chance in the second heat,” said Aguilar, a former Asian champion and a 12-time Philippine Pro Open winner, who retired in 2008.

He was referring to his 20 points earned for finishing third behind Stapleton (25 points) and Lacy (22 points).

Aguilar is also poised to dominate the Pro Open and Pro Lites categories after topping the opening heats of both events.