Hoikka, Singson rule Ducati Cup finals

MANILA, Philippines - Finnish Jussi Hoikka and former Congressman Ronald Singson romped off with the series overall crowns in their respective classes recently in the fourth and final leg of the Ducati Cup 2014 powered by Bacchus Energy Drink at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga.

Hoikka stamped his supremacy in the premier Ducati Cup Open class over Jan Vincent Mercado and Jordan Gaw, pulling off a third straight triumph in the seven-lap race in 14 minutes and 8,658 seconds or 6.58 seconds ahead of nearest pursuer to seal the overall plum in the four-leg series.

Singson, on the other hand, copped another double-title feat, winning the Celebrity crown and thwarting Alvin Aguilar for the Beginners class title.

Meanwhile, Hoikka and Singson will be joined by Intermediate champ Jay Carrion, Novice champ TJ Alberto, Ducati Cup Masters top guns John Defensor and Toti Alberto, and all-time motocross great Glenn Aguilar in the cast of over 300 participants in the Philippine Ducati  Weekend today at the Clark International Speedway.

Highlighting the event is the presence of World Superbikes champion Carlos Checa, the only Spanish rider to win the World Superbikes Championship in 2011 aboard a Ducati 1098R carrying the colors of the Althea Ducati Racing Team.

Checa will be joining the Ducati riders in full-track lap sessions and later “meet and greet” Ducati supporters and spectators.

Admission fee is P1,500 for Ducati owners and P2,000 for non-Ducati owners.

Carrion, who checked in second overall behind Hoikka, turned back Richard Panlilio to claim the Intermediate crown while TJ Alberto emerged the Ducati Cup Novice champion over Lawrence Macalinao and Jericho Arnaiz.

John Defensor came in third overall with Toti Alberto behind to nail a 1-2 finish in the Ducati Cup Masters class while Monty Mortimer bagged the Ducati Cup Super Legends division over Gerald Aycardo.

 Joining the roster of winners were Miguel Bichara who claimed the Naked class crown, and Dax Ayson who clinched the Naked A crown over John Kenneth Avendano.

Team Ducati Philippines also emerged the winningest team behind the impressive feats of its riders from the Ducati-Bacchus Racing Team, AT&T Racing Team and Ducati-Access Plus Racing Team recently in the sixth and final leg of the 2014 Pirelli Superbikes Championship Series at the Clark International Speedway.

Former Superbike champion Raniel Resuello of the Ducati-Bacchus Racing Team led Ducati’s haul when he finished second in the race to capture the overall Superbikes Open runner-up plum.

John Defensor and Toti Alberto made it a 1-2 finish for the Ducati-Bacchus Racing Team in the Superbikes Masters Open class.