San Andres finishes 3rd in Asian Supercross

RIYADH – Kenneth San Andres of Team NAMSSA-Philippines cemented his status as one of the region’s top riders when he finished a fighting third in Saudi Arabia’s inaugural FIM UAM Asian Supercross Championship at the Reem International Circuit here recently.

San Andres, a many-time Philippine Sportswriters Association awardee for motocross, placed second runner-up behind eventual champion Thailand’s Thanarat Penjan, who also clinched the 2009 FIM UAM Asian Supercross Championship title, and 40-year-old runner-up Tadakauzu Otsuka of Japan.

Indonesia’s Aep Dadang and Mongolia’s Khaliunbold Endenbileg were fifth and fourth, respectively, in Race 1 and swapped positions in the second race, with Endenbileg clinching second position in the overall championship.

Russian rider Evgeny Golushko finished seventh in Race 1, but made a late braking mistake early in the second heat. He managed to restart and finished at the rear of the field in eighth position.

Filipino JC Rellosa settled for sixth overall in the event hosted by the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation, marking the first time that the sport was staged in the Middle East region. The first three rounds took place in the Philippines and Mongolia.