Phl riders see Suzuki Cup top finishes

MANILA, Philippines - Former rivals Maico Greg Buncio and John Lery Enriquez will banner Team Suzuki Pilipinas competing in the 2011 Asia Road Racing Championship slated April 28-May 1 at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia.

Buncio, the 2010 Golden Wheel Driver and PSA Rider of the Year awardee, will vie in the Superbike category while Enriquez, the 2010 Magnolia Health Tea UBK Series champion, will see action in the Underbone 115 division, both hopeful of their chances against a strong international field.

“We’re hoping to finish big, if not in the top three, perhaps in the top 10, which will be an accomplishment by itself considering that this is our first stint in this kind of competition,” said the 22-year-old Buncio, an OB Montessori alumnus, in yesterday’s team launch at Kamayan Edsa.

Also gracing the event were Suzuki president Satoshi Uchida, general manager Eiji Kobayashi and assistant general manager Benedict Arreola and Philippine Sports Commission chair Richie Garcia.

Buncio and Enriquez are also scheduled to compete in the Sentul Circuit in Indonesia on June 9-12, Madras Circuit in India on Aug. 4-7, Autopolis Circuit in Japan on Sept. 8-11, Zuhai Circuit in China on Oct. 27-30 and at the Losail Circuit in Qatar on Dec. 8-11.