World rated crossers to race at Jatinangor

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)