MANILA, Philippines - Fresh from their stint at the FIM Asia Supercross Championship in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia last month, the top Filipino motocross riders return to their home turf, the Speedworld MX Circuit in SM City Bicutan, Parañaque, in the resumption of the 2011 NAMSSA development series.
Kenneth San Andres, the reigning Motocross Rider of the Year and the frontrunner in the MX1 and MX2 divisions, is expected to be hounded by veteran Jolet Jao and Migi Tolentino in the two premier classes.
Tolentino, who is on top of the Intermediate class roster, will go up against equally formidable young riders in 2010 FIM Asian Junior 85 champion Jean Erick Mitra, San Pablo City’s Mark Gonzales and his elder sibling Miko.
Chadwick Garcia, Ralph Ramento, Omar Aman, Abdulsamie Kallahal and Cheaster Hinayo are the top riders to watch in the Novice Open and Beginner Production classes.
NAMSSA is duly recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) as the national sporting authority for motorcycle sports in the country and the sole local federation affiliated with the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), the world governing body for motorcycle sports.
Joseph Penaso and Jason Sarmiento, the leaders in the Open and Local Enduro and Underbone class scoreboards, are expected to dominate their respective divisions anew. Gimo Gonzales, Frank Derek Cu, Norman Moreno, Nico Tan and Junjun San Andres are the names to watch out for in the Executive and Veterans divisions.
Mark Reggie Flores, Gabriel Symon Macaso and Christian Ramento, who are currently 1-2-3 in the FIM Asian Junior 85 title race go up against darkhorses Ralph Ramento and Basilan’s Radzie Kallahal. Macaso, who is also the pacesetter in the Junior 65cc class will go up against his perennial rivals Francis de Luna and Michael Tschopp. Tykes on bikes Vincent Jimenez and Zyden Buse will be providing the fireworks in the Junior 50cc class.