MOTORSPORT: Whitsunday motorbike champion Andy McLiesh may not have won the FIM Asia Supermoto Championship but he certainly impressed in his four races, being named the Best International Rider of the championships.

McLiesh went into the race weekend at Shah Alam, Malaysia, with a good chance of winning the championships, but it wasn't to be.

Finishing fifth and sixth in his two races, he still managed an impressive feat to finish second overall in the championships.

In race one, McLiesh battled fiercely with Khairi Zakaria and Yasushi Matsumoto in a close contest for third.

Unfortunately, luck was not on the local champion's side with Khairi prevailing for third, Matsumoto fourth and McLiesh trailing in fifth.

A massive crowd of between 25,000-28,000 Malaysian spectators turned up to witness the prestigious event.

The partisan crowd lined up to congratulate the emotional victor Muhd Habibullah (Gabit) on the Malaysian race track as he passed the finish line.

Winning the Open International and Asian categories, Gabit proved too good for the competition, earning the maximum 50 points.

McLiesh was competitive against Gabit in Moto race two.

McLiesh and two other competitors, Richard Dibben and Lewish Cornish, were close enough to overtake if only Gabit were to make a single slip.

Fresh from the international contest, McLiesh has arrived back in Australia.