Multi-titled Kenneth San Andres of the Kawasaki JBS Team will be pitting guts and skills against the world’s best riders on Sunday at the 2018 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations at the Red Bud Circuit in North Buchanan, Michigan, USA.
San Andres, a many-time awardee for motocross of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA), is entered in the premier MX GP Class, where the world’s greatest riders such as champion Gautier Paulin of France, Jeffrey Herlings of the Netherlands and Tommy Searle of Great Britain will be competing.
The Motocross of Nations is considered the Olympics of two-wheel off-road motorsports competition, wherein each country is represented by its top three motocross riders. For the first time since 2010, the event will be held in the United States and the first time at Red Bud. France goes into the event that lured a total of 31 nations as the defending champion after taking its fifth title in 2017.
The Valenzuela native San Andres will be leading the charge of Team Philippines, also composed of Mark Reggie Flores of San Pablo City, Carlo Rodriguez of Dipolog City. Flores competes in the MX2 class, while Rodriguez is listed in the MX Category.
They are joined in the Philippine delegation by team manager Tim Bennett of TCD Racing, assistant team manager Mel McCormick and Kenneth’s father/coach Jun San Andres, the 2017 FIM Asian Motocross Veterans’ Division reigning titlist.
“To be the best, you have to ride and compete with the best,” said San Andres, who is backed by Kawasaki Philippines, Clean Fuel, Mxon2018, Motul Philippines, CDR, McCormick Excavating, TCD, Tim Bennett, Devol, Prowheel, Troy Lee Designs, Foilacar Industries, R33 Cars, Game Over Ph, Kia Global, Bel lPower Sports, Alpine Stars PJ, Pro Taper, Pirelli Tires, JM Mirasol Advertising, Pro Pipe, Polisport, Halrey, JBS Motorcycle, Oakley Philippines, One Obsession, Motox, Moto Metal Wheels and Auto Options.
“We are honored to be representing the flag here and we hope to deliver a nice performance for Philippine motocross,” added the the longest-reigning National Rider of the Year of the National Motorcycle Sports and Safety Association (NAMSSA) with 10 straight titles.
The campaign of Team Philippines to the Motocross of Nations was made possible by NAMSSA President Macky Carapiet, through the official endorsement to carry the national flag by the Philippine Olympic Committee and assistance from the Philippine Sports Commission.
San Andres also currently leads the 2018 NAMSSA National Motocross Development Program.