Buncio rules superbikes kickoff

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Maico Buncio of Suzuki launched his bid for a fifth straight crown with an imposing win in the kickoff of the 2011 Bridgestone Philippine Superbikes Championship at the Batangas Racing Circuit in Rosario, Batangas.

Buncio, 21, displayed top form aboard a different bike to capture the Superbikes Open title of this event sponsored by Bridgestone, MIB, Inside Racing and Racing Beat@Wave 89.1FM.

Dashi Watanabe took the pole as Buncio started rather slow as he was still getting the feel of the new Suzuki Superbike acquired just days before the event. The bike was still on a stock set-up that only the gearing and exhaust systems were modified.

But the Suzuki GSXR -600 proved equal to the task against the rivals’ modified engines as Buncio came charging in the succeeding laps for a sweep of the pre-final and final race.

Posting the fastest laptime of 1:40.520, he wrapped up the eight-lap race in 13 minutes,36.586 seconds or almost a minute ahead of runner-up Watanabe, third placer Craeme Colwill and John Defensor.

Raniel Resuelo clinched the SBK Intermediate class title over Colwill and third placer John Paul Jose while Erwin Agra topped the SBK Novice division over John Paul Jose, third placer Jhon Jeffrey Magallanes and Rommel Florante.