Young rider shines in motocross

JP/oby

SERPONG, West Java (JP): Australian teenager Luke Urek (photo above) raced his Yamaha YZ to the first win of the Gudang Garam Asia Pacific Motocross Championship yesterday.

The Melbourne native outsprinted fellow Australian Sinclair Cameron after a 80cc battle on a track drenched by rain. A number of riders failed to finish the grueling race.

Urek will enter today's second leg action at the Bumi Serpong Damai circuit with Cameron expected to push him to another fight to the end.

Indonesian riders are tipped to meet big names from Australia, New Zealand and Japan in the prestigious 125cc and 250cc classes on the second day of the championship today. New Zealand's Nigel Smith and Japan's Sinichi Kaga look favored to win the races.

The championship, the second round of the Asia Pacific series, also serves as the closing of the national championship series. Four top riders stay in contention for the title going into today's race, which will not see Johny Pranata defend his crown. (oby/amd)