Top riders vie in Asia Moto Championship

MANILA, Philippines - Top motocross riders brace for another down-to-the-wire showdown as they vie in the FIM Asia Motocross Championship beginning March 21 in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

Defending champion Arnon “Turbo” Theplib from Thailand and perennial Japanese rival Tomoya “Kamikaze” Suzuki headline the elite cast that includes Kenneth San Andres, the Philippines’ reigning Motocross Rider of the Year.

After its successful maiden outing in 2004, the annual gathering of Asia’s top motocross riders gained a strong following, turning it into a much-awaited event in the succeeding years.

For the 10th year in a row, Mayor Edward Hagedorn and his constituents from the City of Puerto Princesa are again playing host and benefactor to the Philippine leg of the Asian continental championship.  

Other sponsors of the event, supported by the Department of Tourism and recognized by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee, are Repsol, HJC Helmets, Shakeys, Du Ek Sam Inc. Puerto Princesa and Honda Prestige Puerto Princesa.

Puerto Princesa’s world-class motocross racetrack is being readied in time for the big four-day event expected to draw hundreds of riders and teams from various cities and provinces across the country to battle in 15 categories of NAMSSA’s 2013 National Motocross Development Program.

Mark Reggie Flores, 14, of San Pablo City will be a marked man in the Asian Junior 85cc category where he will defend the back-to-back titles he bagged during the 2011-2012 seasons. Out to foil Flores’ three-peat are Mongolian Khisigmunk Munkbolor, Sri Lankan Jacques Gunawardena and compatriot Gabriel Macaso from Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija who claimed the Philippine National Junior 85cc title in 2012.

Flores and Kenneth San Andres will be feted in the 2013 PSA Awards Ceremony set on Saturday. Flores is one of the young athletes who have been handpicked to receive the Tony Siddayao Award, an honor conferred to athletes who have made major accomplishments in their sport at a tender age. San Andres on the other hand is being cited for his achievements in motocross.

Guam’s Stanley Yasuhiro is similarly expected to encounter some rough sailing when he defends the Asian Veterans crown against runners-up Mike Zolin, Gimo Gonzales and Junjun San Andres.

For details, visit www.namssa.com and the NAMSSA Secretariat Facebook Page.