TWO award-giving bodies recognized Kenneth San Andres’ exploits as the Philippines’ top motocross rider.

San Andres, who claimed both the premier Pro Open and Pro 125 titles of the National Motocross Championships two months ago, was recently bestowed with the Motocross Rider of the Year award by both the Philippine Sportswriters Association at the Alegria Lounge and by the Golden Wheel Awards at the Pagcor Grand Theater in Parañaque.

“These awards are not only a great honor for me and my family, they also inspire me to reach for greater glory from what I have already achieved,” said the multi-titled San Andres, who is backed by Oakley, Bridgestone Tires, HJC Helmets, Fox Racing, Polisport, EZ Trailer, Inside Racing, JBS Motorcycle Parts and Accessories and Bike Plus.

A many-time awardee of the PSA and Golden Wheel, San Andres was also earlier named Motocross Rider of the Year by the National Motorcycle Sports and Safety Association in its shortened national series. The rankings of the competing riders were tabulated after nine rounds of the series, with San Andres emerging as the runaway champion of the event’s two premier divisions.

But his crowning glory last season was achieved overseas when he was chosen in August last year by the Asian Motorcycle Union and Namssa to represent the Asian region in The Motocross Grand Prix of Ireland at the Fairyhouse Race Course, Co. Meath, Ireland. Only the best Asian rider is chosen to represent the region in the world grand prix, thereby cementing San Andres’ status as one of Asia’s best, if not the best.

“It has been another fruitful year for me,” said San Andres, a Manila Central University Information Technology student, who also emerged as Asia’s second-best rider for the second straight year in the FIM Asia-Pacific Motocross Championships.

“The goal this year is to finally capture an Asian crown,” said the Valenzuela native, who actually began his campaign for that goal in the ongoing 2009 Motocross Masters of Asia-Puerto Princesa International Motocross Grand Prix in Palawan.