Buncio draws first blood in superbikes

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Maico Buncio of YRS-Elf-Yamaha Racing opened his bid for a four-peat crown with an impressive victory in the kickoff of the 2010 Enersel Forte Philippine Superbikes Championship Series recently at the Batangas Racing Circuit in Rosario, Batangas.

The 20-year-old Buncio swept both the pre-final and final races to capture the Enersel Superbikes Open crown of this event sponsored by Enersel Forte, Pagcor Sports, municipality of Rosario Batangas Tourism Council, Aeromed, Chequered Flag, and Stoplight TV.

He pulled away from the pack early, running a second faster than his closest rival Glenn Aguilar of Enersel Forte-Ducati Racing who posted a fastest laptime of 1:40.817

Buncio completed the 10-lap race in 16 minutes and 56.576 seconds or 12.941 seconds ahead of Aguilar who bagged the runner-up honors while the young 16-year-old Dashi Watanabe beat comebacking 10-time superbikes champ Jolet Jao and John Defensor, who ended fourth and fifth, respectively.

But Aguilar, an 11-time motocross champion, also scored a big win in the Motard class by a split-second triumph over Enersel Forte-Ducati Racing teammate Toti Alberto.

The two diced against each other several times but Aguilar’s defensive driving pulled him through as he clocked 11 minutes and 36.087 seconds or just 0.444 seconds ahead of Alberto.

Allan Suansing checked in third just while Mickey Mazo and Inigo Bilbao wound up fourth and fifth, respectively.

Dennis Fajardo topped the Superbikes Novice division.

 over Marlon Bagtang and third placer Richard Soriano.

Winning the other races were Inigo Bilbao, Aries Padiernos and Nikky Roman.

Bilbao ruled the Superbikes Beginners class, escaping by just 0.281 seconds over Rommel Florante. Carlos Joaquin Loinaz checked in third while Richard Soriano and Marlon Bagtang wound up fourth and fifth respectively.

Padiernos swept the 400cc. Unlimited division over Ernanie Alcantara and third placer Resty Lucas while Roman prevailed over Marlone Teng for the 400cc. Novice crown.

The next leg is set on May 29-30 at the Clark International Speedway. For other details, interested parties may log on at www.batangasracingcircuit.com or contact the Batangas Racing Circuit c/o Nelson Gayola or Rodini Rivera at (632) 817-2241, 729-5365 or fax 844-7766.