Italy's Chiodi wins Motocross C'ship

JAKARTA (JP): Alessio Chiodi of Italy won the Bentoel International 125cc Motocross World Championship at the Pugeran Circuit, Yogyakarta, yesterday.

Chiodi and his Yamaha collected 40 points with a two-race time of one hour 32 minutes 23.03. Bob Moore of the USA took second place with 26 points (1:33,29.52) while Alessandro Puzar (Italy) and Xavier Colomer (Spain) were in third and fourth places with 25 points each and clocking 1:33,37.37 and 1:33,38.02, respectively.

Fifty crossers from 15 countries took part in the one-day championship, which was divided into two races.

Only eight of the 50 riders were Indonesians, namely Johny Pranata, brothers Frans and Pieter Tanujaya, Satya Sunarso, Dwi Sugiarto, Irwan Ardiansyah, Herdiansyah and Andy Sunaryo.

Indonesia only managed to put two racers in the second race with Irwan finishing in 23rd and Andy in 25th place.

The championship was opened by Bob Nasution, chairman of the Indonesian Motor Federation, and was highlighted by the releasing of balloons and parachuting.

"Although Indonesia failed to win the championship, I am proud that our racers were able to compete with the foreign racers," Bob said.

Defending champion Sebastian Torelli of France did not take part in the championship as he was promoted to the 250cc class. Last year's runner up Paul Malin of England was injured during practice and did not continue in the race.

The Yogyakarta race is the first of the 12-leg championship. The second leg will be staged in Pernes, France, on April 13, followed by the third in Bell Pug, Spain, a week later.

Austria will host the fourth leg on May 4, followed by Italy on May 11, England on May 25, Slovenia on June 1, Germany on June 22, Finland on July 13, Slovak Republic on Aug. 10 and Belgium on Aug. 17. The 12th and final leg will be at Lierop, the Netherlands on Aug. 31. (lnt)