Extreme motorsports come to thrill local masses again for fourth edition of annual Total International Motocross Championship on Saturday

Photo by:

HENG CHIVOAN

French-Cambodian rider Pierre-Yves Catry smiles atop his Honda CRF 450 motocross racing bike during the Total Motocross Championship press conference Friday at the Total Olympic petrol station, Phnom Penh.

INTERNATIONAL and local motorbike riders will let their engines roar Saturday, competing in this years annual Total International Motocross Championship.

The event, now entering its fourth incarnation, will be held at Preak Leap Motocross track in front of Preak Leap School of Agriculture, 6.1 kilometres out of the city along National Highway 6A.

Fifty riders hailing from seven different countries will participate this year in a fiercely competitive field stronger than ever before. Riders will kick up dust and dirt as they turn tight corners and fly through the air over huge jumps.

Robinson out for triple crown

New Zealand's James Robinson will attempt to capture his third consecutive Total Motocross Championship title. He faces stiff competition for the trophy and US$350 prize money from riders such as fellow Kiwi Larry Blair and French-Cambodian Pierre Yves Catry, who won the inaugural championship in 2006.

The extreme sports event hopes to promote motorsport in Cambodia by giving local riders the opportunity to compete with top international riders.

Photo by:

HENG CHIVOAN

Pierre-Yves Catry pulls an

exhibition wheelie across the Total Olympic petrol station

forecourt Friday.

New class for a new year

The competition features four classes including the newly introduced class D this year.

Class A - Motocross Experts Class B - Motocross Novices Class C - Trail Bikes Experts Class D - Trail Bikes Novices

 "[Class D] provides an opportunity for young riders to gain experience in Motocross", Yim Vibol, Event Spokesman and Total Cambodia's Marketing and Communications Manager, told the Post Wednesday.

Official practice begins at 10am, with heats of the four classes running all day. A mountain bike race twice around the track will be held at 2:20pm.

Phnom Penh Deputy Governor HE Chea Sothun will officially open the event with a public address at 2:35pm followed by the Class A and B finals.

Entrance to the Total Motocross Championship 2009 is a free and organisers are urging spectators to get to the track early to secure a good vantage point to watch the racing.