The event was staged in the presence of Prince Sultan bin Fahd, president of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare and the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee (SAOC).
It actually rained in Riyadh before the start of the first of two Asian races on the purpose-built course.
The Thai rider won both races: he led from the start to the checkered flag after dominating the first race, but was forced to pass four other riders to confirm victory in race two. Runner-up in both of the Saudi races was the 40-year-old Japanese rider Tadakauzu Otsuka, who duly finished second in the general classification at the Saudi race meeting.
“I am physically fit and I feel that gave me a distinct advantage on this demanding course,” admitted a delighted Penjan. “The course is tricky and I needed to focus and be at my best. It was doubly special to confirm the championship title.”
Team NAMSSA Philippines - Kenneth San Andres finished third in both the races to claim a similar position in the overall Saudi rankings. Indonesia’s Aep Dadang and Mongolia’s Khaliunbold Endenbileg were fifth and fourth in race one and swapped positions in race two, with Endenbileg clinching second position in the overall championship.
“I am very happy to take second in the championship,” said the Mongolian, who commented that one meter of snow had fallen in his native Mongolia today. Russian rider Evgeny Golushko finished seventh in race one, but made a late braking mistake early in race two. He managed to restart and finished at the rear of the field in eigth position.
The Saudi Arabian Motor Federation (SAMF) hosted the fourth round of the championship - the first three rounds took place in the Philippines and Mongolia - and the race meeting marked the first time that the sport has been staged in the Middle East region.
“I would like to thank all the participants for taking part in this first event of its kind in the Middle East,” said Mishaal Al-Sudairi, president of the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation. “I also wish to thank Prince Sultan bin Fahd under whose patronage the event has run this week. I extend our thanks to Prince Bandar bin Faisal, chairman of Zain Reem, for sponsoring the event, to Stephan Carapiet the President, of the FIM UAM Asian Motocross and Enduro Commission and to all our marshals and officials for their hard work.”
“Motor sport is about team work and we hope that this is the first of many events of its kind we will host in the future. We also hope to train our own riders to take part in this championship in the coming years.”
Penjan had been the fastest of the eight entrants on his Yamaha in Thursday’s qualifying session with a time of 12m 28.991s for his eight laps of the circuit. He set a fastest lap of 1m 18.052s, which was sufficient to pip second-placed San Andres and Erdenbileg, who finished third. Eight riders took part in the qualifying session, with Russia’s Evgeny Golushko and Filipino Jan Carlo Rellosa completing the top five.
Zain Communications, Bison energy drink and Castrol sponsored the event under the auspices of the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation (SAMF).###
