Bigger field expected in Ducati Cup race

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s top road race riders take center stage this Sunday as they clash for top honors in Round Two of the Ducati Cup at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga.

The event is open to all amateur and pro Ducati bike owners and riders raring to pit their skills and talent on the tough and technically designed 4.2km course in Clark.

Titles to be disputed are standard, masters, superbikes novice and superbikes expert.

Foreign riders Peter Cotter and Mikko Mannerkorpi took the spotlight in the kickoff led following their grueling showdown in the premier Ducati Overall Open class.

They figured in a neck-and-neck battle in the early going but Cotter went on to win the title with a 4.319-second lead over Mannerkorpi. Nikki Romero placed third while Benjamin Ladra and Dennis Peralta wound up fourth and fifth, respectively.

Meanwhile, Ducati Team franchise rider Raniel Resuello tries to bounce back in the Superbikes Expert race together with John Defensor in the Ducati Masters division where he faces strong rivals Toti Alberto, Miguel Bichara, Richard Panlilio and Rey Relativo.

Others fancied to dominate are Charlie Carlos in the Ducati Novice division against Reynaldo Lagamia and Charles Nolasco; Rey Relativo in the Ducati Super Seniors class versus Benjamin Ladra; Jan Vincent Mercado in the Intermediate class against Richard Panlilio and Juan Carrion; and Charles Nolasco in the Naked class against Lorence Macalinao.