Japanese, Indon head m’cross cast

A powerhouse cast of top riders from 10 nations in Asia, Oceania and the USA is expected to brew an exciting, down-to-the-wire action in the 2004 FIM Puerto Princesa International Motocross Championship — "Motocross Masters of Asia" — set March 28 in Puerto Princesa City.

Leading the cast of foreign ace riders in this event sponsored by the City of Puerto Princesa, Dusit Hotel Nikko, The Legend Hotel-Palawan, Philippine Airlines, Bridgestone, Cebu Pacific, What’s on & Expat, Oakley, Polysport, Triplex, Highland Products, Yehey.Com, ABC-5’s Speed, Negros Navigation, www.motorcyclephilippines.com, the Philippine Sports Commission and the Department of Tourism are Japanese factory rider Tadakazu Ohtsuka and Indonesian national champion Aep Dadang.

Ohtsuka emerged the over-all runner-up in last year’s series and currently leads the series after grabbing the top spot in the opening round held in Bali, Indonesia last month.

Dadang wound up third overall last year. He suffered a setback due to an ankle injury in the kickoff round and again had a neck injury while competing in a national race held during the past weekend. But tough as he is, the Indonesian champ is expected to suit up in Puerto Princesa on raceday and remains a force to contend with.

"Definitely, these are two riders that Asian champion Glenn Aguilar shouldn’t take lightly. Both won against Aguilar in some of the races and they’re all out to wrest the crown and glory from the Philippines," said FIM president for Asia Macky Carapiet.