VERMOSA SPEEDFEST

gathers riders and bikers for a weekend of thrilling activities

Amotorbike jumps into the air, clearing a challenging hill in the race track, while its engine makes a loud zooming sound. In a split second, it lands on the ground, stirring up dust, the motocross driver already gearing up to maneuver a demanding turn in the track.

Such an exciting scene was a common sight during the two-day Vermosa Speedfest last week that gathered some of the country’s top riders and bikers for thrilling activities where speed was at the spotlight.

In a weekend full of fun, the highlight was the Vermosa Motocross Challenge, which saw some 200 professional riders from around the country join in 17 different categories, including one for women and kids.

These riders were among the first ones to get a taste of the Vermosa MX Tracks, a 1-kilometer race track that features a variety of challenging terrain ideal for beginners and experienced riders alike.

“Holding an event in a race track like this is a huge thing for motocross. It’s a great venue, which hopefully helps bring more interest to the sports,” said Glenn Aguilar, who designed the race track.

Aguilar, a 15-time Philippine MX champion and 2003 Asian Motocross Series champion, said he sees a bright future for motocross in the country, something akin to the sports’ popularity in the 1980s.

Aguilar joined two categories (expert and professional class) during the event. In one of his races, we was racing against his 16-yearold son who, at one point, got ahead of him in the race track.

“I was telling myself that if my son beat me, I’d resign soon,” Aguilar said in jest. We’d be seeing more of the 41-year-old Aguilar, as he managed to eventually outrace his son.

Vermosa is a 700-hectare estate in Cavite that is masterplanned to offer fundamental mixed-use components. Less than an hour away from Makati, the place is envisioned to be a “modern suburban community” that integrates healthy and active lifestyle with everyday living.

“We saw that more Filipinos are starting to embrace a healthier lifestyle, embracing sporting events and incorporating outdoor activities in their lifestyle. At Vermosa, we wanted to provide a modern facility (for riders and bikers) that is challenging but safe,” said Jay Teodoro, Ayala Land Division Manager and Estate Head of Vermosa.

The race track forms part of the Vermosa Sports & Lifestyle Complex (VSLC), a destination for athletes and wellness enthusiasts that aims to cater the Filipinos’ demand for an increasingly active lifestyle.

When completed next year, the complex would house world-class sports facilities that include an Olympic size pool, oval track, and the country’s most advanced and complete Sports Science Laboratory. The complex would be managed by a team of sports experts to ensure the atmosphere conducive for athletes remains in place.

Aside from the motocross challenge, an invitational Mountain

Skills Clinic was also held. Here, newbies and more experienced bikers alike joined a course that helped enhance their biking skills—from track cornering

braking; from bunny hop to track stand; from jumps to racing.

UCI National Commissaire and track builder, Parabanne Mendoza, facilitated the Clinic and shared valuable riding tips and techniques.

The scorching heat didn’t faze the hundreds of people who came to witness the riders show their skills the motorbike. What people don't realize, biking motocross in particular is a family event. Most of the time, the wives and children of the riders are there, too, to support them and cheer them on,” he said.

Other side activities include ride tutorials and refresher courses and motorcycle safety lectures.

For more information, visit www.vermosa.ph, like Vermosa on facebook: VermosaPH and follow Vermosa on instagram

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