Top RP, foreign riders vie in Javier international motocross

MANILA, Philippines - The first Gov. Evelio Javier International Motocross Championship fires off April 24 with 50 multi-titled Filipino and foreign riders clashing for top honors in various categories in Valderrama, Antique.

The event will be held in honor of the province’s favorite son and hero, Evelio, according to former Valderrama Mayor Ray Roquero during yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Ave.

“Antiquenos always remember my late brother as a sportsman. He was responsible for constructing the Binirayan Sports Complex which is now the site of major competitions in Western Visayas,” Javier said in a statement read by Roquero, now a PCSO director.

The event, the second leg of the FIM Asian Motocross series, features 15 categories, with specially-designed trophies and medals awarded to the top three finishers in each division.

The two-day event ending April 25 is backed by Antique Rep. Exequiel Javier, brother of the late Evelio, and Valderrama Mayor Joyce Roquero, and organized by Macky Carapiet in cooperation with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“We expect tough competition from all the participants, particularly from our local bets,” Roquero said in the public service program backed by Accel, Pagcor, Outlast Battery and Shakey’s. “We’ll also make sure competitors will have a pleasant stay in our province.”

Among those competing in the premier 125 event are Mongolia’s Khaliunbold Erdinbileg and Japan’s Takeshi Tabuchi, the top two placers in the opening round of the 2010 FIM Asian Motocross series last February in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Kenneth San Andres, last year’s top local motocross rider, heads the local challenge in the event which also drew riders from Malaysia, Taiwan, Guam and India, among others.