Tubod, Lanao del Norte -  Top seeded American rider Tiger Lacey successfully defended his motocross crown in the motocross capital of the Philippines - Lanao del Norte. With his win in Lanao del Norte, Lacey also earned a rare 3-peat championship in what is recognized as the best motocross dirt track in the country.

The SEL-J Sports’ World Motocross Challenge back-to-back champion again dominated the International Category against other American Motocross Association (AMA) riders and top Filipino racers.

Young daredevil Rhowell “Bornok” Mangosong from KTM Racing Davao got a total score of 40 points to grab third place overall giving something for the locals to cheer about.  Filipino motocross star Glenn Aguilar still managed to secure fifth spot after a poor start in the final heat of the International Pro-Open category.     

The Lanao del Norte motocross is the final leg of the Enersel Forte Philippine National Motocross Challenge which is attended by motocross riders and fans from all over the country.

“We are again happy that our Motocross event continues to get bigger and bigger. We have more riders from all over the land competing in the different categories. We are also glad to see our American racers compete against our top Filipino riders which make for a more exciting race for the thousands of spectators”, Governor Khalid Dimaporo said.

Joining Lacey and Mangosong in the winners’ podium are Dennis Stapleton (second place), Nathan Tieney (fourth place) and Glenn Aguilar (fifth place).

Other category champions are Christopher Bandingan (Beginner Open Production), BJ Pepito (65 cc), Dexter Bacabac (Executive A), Jessie Pineda (Novice Open Production), Jungle Cabuco (Underbone Novice), Mclean Aguilar (85 cc), Kimboy Pineda (Expert), Jay Lacnit (Executive C), John Almerino (Beginner Local Enduro), Sam Milby (Celebrity), Paing Unahon (Underbone Open), Ompong Gabriel (50 cc), Lagrada Leven (Intermediate), Glenn Aguilar (Pro-Open), Pia Gabriel (Ladies), Ryan Oliveros (Executive B), and John Americano (Open Local Enduro).

Local spectators were also thrilled to see movie heartthrob Sam Milby showcase his motocross skills against other celebrities like Jordan Herrera and Buboy Fernandez. Buboy Fernandez who is most popularly known in the local and international boxing circle as the assistant trainer of eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, is also the manager of Team Pacquiao Racing Team.

Another highlight of the Lanao del Norte International Motocross is the crowd-favorite Freestyle Motocross Category. In this event, FMX Rider Ryan Logan executed the first-ever ‘backflip’ Philippine motocross history. The ‘backflip’ was once considered as the ‘holy grail’ of freestyle motocross because of its extreme difficulty.

As part of the Motocross Weekend organized by the Provincial Government, nightly events were also provided for local residents and visitors. On December 10, the sexy group Kitty Girls had a concert at the cavernous MCC gymnasium; while on December 11, showbiz celebrities played against the Kapatagan Executives for the Celebrity Basketball Challenge. VNL/PIO-LDN