World rated crossers to race at Jatinangor

JAKARTA (JP): The world's leading 250cc motorcross racer, Belgium's Everts Steven, will lead the world's rated riders in the Gudang Guram Mesran World Motocross Championships in Jatinangor, Bandung, in August.

Steven, on his Honda, has garnered 130 points after four rounds in Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and Italy.

He is trailed by countryman Bervoets Marnicq, who is on 110 points in the world standings.

Sebastian Tortelli, the 1996 125cc world champion who has moved to the 250cc division, is third with 97 points.

"They are among the world's leading motorcross racers who have confirmed their participation in the Jatinangor race," committee spokesman Helmy Sungkar said yesterday.

If the tight battle for top honors at the first four events is any gauge, the battle will continue in Jatinangor on Aug. 2 and Aug. 3.

"Their duel for top honors will probably become fiercer after the Jatinangor race because the last three races after Indonesia will decide the world championship title," said the committee's chief official Bob R.E. Nasution.

The last three races will be in Poland, Switzerland and Germany.

Indonesia was given the 12th leg on the World 250cc Motor Cross Championships after successfully organizing the 125cc championships in Yogyakarta for the last three years.

The 250cc race will be opened by the state minister for youth and sports affairs, Hayono Isman.

"Tony Skillington, a top official of FIM -- world motor sport's governing body -- will inspect the track mid-May. The track is now having its finishing touches done. We expect the track to be finished by May 20," Helmy said.

A series of supporting races will be held during the world championships including the national 125cc and 80cc events. (rsl)