MANILA, Philippines - Kenneth San Andres cemented his claim as the Philippines’ No.1 rider by sweeping both the premier Pro Open and the Pro 125 categories of the 2011 NAMSSA Motocross Development Program’s Round 6 at the Speedworld MX Circuit in SM City Bicutan, Parañaque recently.
San Andres, a many-time awardee of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) for motocross, was all business from the get go, sweeping the MX1 and MX2 races of the top categories of the tournament sanctioned and organized by the National Motorcycle Sports and Safety Association (NAMSSA).
The country’s No. 1 motocross rider ruled both heats of the premier Pro Open in style, turning back the challenge of up-and-coming rider Jerrick Mitra (second) and veteran Jolet Jao (third) on both occasions.
So dominant was San Andres that he left his rivals scrambling in the trail of his dust, winning both heats by huge distances. It was practically the same script in the Pro 125, with San Andres winning by several meters, but this time, Jao switched places with Mitra as the veteran took runner-up honors and relegated the young rider to third.
“I guess I was just in tip-top shape,” said San Andres, who is backed by Oakley, Fox, Go Pro, HJC Helmet, Bridgestone Tires, Polysports, EZ Trailer, Inside Racing Magazine, Bike Plus, JBS Motorcycle Parts and Accessories, Fortune Plaza Binggo Balagtas Bulacan, Starting Line Magazine and GCG Pipes.
The Valenzuela native, who last year captured his third National Rider of the Year crown in the Pro Open and 14th overall, is bracing for Round 4 of Asian Motocross Championships on Oct. 5-6 in Tehran, Iran
“This is a good tuneup event before I plunge into action in Asian championships,” added San Andres, referring to the regional motocross series, where he gets to pit skills with riders from the Middle East, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Thailand, China, Mongolia, Guam, Saipan, United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka.