Resuello scores double in Superbikes

MANILA, Philippines - Raniel Resuello of Kawasaki Racing Team-Castrol-Motolite staked his claim as the country’s top moto racer when he pulled off an impressive double-title feat in the fourth leg of the Bridgestone Philippine Superbikes Championships at the Clark International Speedway in Angeles City, Pampanga recently.

Resuello, 21, put on another superb performance to dominate his rivals from start to finish and capture the Superbikes Expert/Open and the Superbikes Intermediate crowns in the event sanctioned by Superbikes Racing Association (SBRA) with Bridgestone as the official Superbikes tires.

Posting the fastest time of 2:04.140 in the trials, Resuello still managed to chip off his time to a blazing 2:03.845 in the fifth lap to pull ahead of the pack and complete the 20-lap race on a full 4.2 km-track in 20 minutes and 57.379 seconds, beating Marvin Mangulabnan by 4.582 seconds.

Resuello clinched the Superbikes Expert/Open plum over Toti Albertio of Ducati-Access Plus and John Defensor then later claimed the Superbikes Intermediate crown over Mangulabnan and Anthony Roman.

Mangulabnan took the Superbikes Novice crown over Roman and Erwin Agra while Alberto likewise won the Superbikes Masters Open diadem over Defensor.

It was actually Resuello’s third win in four races as he hiked his total to 97 points to stretch his lead to 19 against Roman, who had 78 points.

Mangulabnan pooled 76 points while Alberto and Defensor posted 73 and 68 points, respectively.

Resuello also kept the top spot in the Intermediate division with 97 points against Roman and Mangulabnan, who both had 82 points.

Roman, meanwhile, showed the way in the Superbikes Novice with 94 points for a two-point lead over Mangulabnan, who has 92 points. Agra is third with 82 followed by Charles Nolasco and Rommel Florante with 54 and 50 points, respectively.