Aguilar rides to supercross history

For the first time in history, the Philippine flag was hoisted in the FIM Asian Supercross.

Credit goes to Caltex-Revtex Namssa star rider Glenn Aguilar, who formalized his claim to Asia’s most prestigious motocross title with a tactical ride in the final leg of the FIM event at Yigo International Raceway Park, Guam, USA.

Aguilar, who was appointed by the National Motorcycle Sports and Safety Association headed by Ken Falco to represent the Philippines, clinched the FIM’s Asia-Pacific 125cc crown by virtue of his overwhelming points margin over second-running Aep Dadang of Indonesia.

He bucked a spill in the qualifying 125cc race and still placed second behind Australian rider Jye Harvey and then unleashed a calculated ride in the finals where he ranked third to the Aussie and Hawaii’s Bronson Hethcote. In both races, Aguilar had the best lap times of 51.167 and 50.928.

At the end of the race, Aguilar, knowing that he had snared the As-Pac title, unplugged the Philippine flag on display near the podium and waved it around the race track for one final victory ride.

"I am very happy to win the overall series and glad to be the first Filipino to win the much-coveted Asian Motocross Championship. Waving the Philippine flag inside the track after the race is such an overwhelming experience for me," said Aguilar.

With Aguilar’s victory, coupled by Kenneth San Andres’ stunning first-place win in the final leg, the Philippines also snared the Coupe Des Nations Asiatique 2003, the coveted prize awarded to the country of origin of the winning riders.

"After Manny Pacquiao and Dorothy Delasin, it’s now the turn of Aguilar to bring honor to the country in foreign soil. We should all be proud of his achievement because it was won through hard work," said Revtex team manager Ner Marquez Dormiendo, who accompanied the riders to the Guam meet, with another Caltex manager Paul Familara and UAM president Macky Carapiet.

"We promise more support to our riders next year. Their passion mirrors Caltex’s excellence," said Familara. "They definitely should have more international competitions of this kind for them to bring more honor to the country."