MANILA, Philippines - Aljon Valencia of Team Petronas MTRT-cycle announced his presence in motorcycle road racing with his impressive win in the 115 Sport Production Open Class, a high-speed race that drew throngs of spectators in the opening stage of the Repsol Road Race Championship Series recently in Parang, Marikina.
Gerald Cruz, a privateer (second) and Edzen Zuniga-Team SpeedEx (third) joined him in the podium in the kick-off event which brought competitive motorcycle racing back to the hearts of grassroots race fans.
A total of 177 riders from motorcycle clubs like Kerjer, Dadatech, MME and Club 137 from different parts of Metro Manila and Zambales saw action in the one-make races of the top three motorcycle manufacturers –Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha – for a place in the inter-club final heat of the event sponsored by Repsol Motor Oils.
At the end of the season, the top rider earns the right to compete in the annual Asian Road Race championships. The top rider in the 115 Sports Production Class will be proclaimed FIM-Asia/NAMSSA Rider of the Year.
The Repsol Road Race Championship series is sanctioned by NAMSSA, the local affiliate of FIM-Asia.