MANILA, Philippines - The national motorcycle racing season kicks off this weekend in Bulacan with the country’s leading off-road races tipped to clash for top honors in the Philippine Motocross Development Program at Dulong Bayan in Santa Maria.
High-octane action is expected right in the opening round of the event, NAMSSA’s grassroots training program for motorcycle sport athletes. The races will also serve as part of Santa Maria’s fiesta celebrations hosted by Mayor Bartolome Ramos, Vice Mayor Russell Pleyto, and the Santa Maria Town Fiesta Committee headed by Engineer Bobby Nicolas.
Four-time and reigning Motocross Rider of the Year Kenneth San Andres heads the fancied names, who have confirmed participation in the event. Others in the fold are multi-titled motocross veterans Jolet Jao and Jovie Saulog, who also won last year’s riders of the year titles for Enduro and Supermoto, Jean Erick Mitra and Migi Tolentino.
San Andres is a major awardee in the PSA Annual Awards set next month at Manila Hotel.
Last year’s top rookie Chadwick Garcia will also be seeing action along with perennial rivals Omar Aman, Abdulsamie Kallahal and Miko Tolentino.
Joseph Penaso and Jason Sarmiento will be the riders to watch in the Enduro and Underbone categories.
The reigning 2011 FIM Asian Junior 85 Champion and the country’s top junior rider Mark Reggie Flores, from San Pablo City, Laguna are also seeing action in the event.