Watanabe Superbikes king anew
DEFENDING champion Dashi Watanabe of Aprilia Grandstar capped off his title quest with a victory in the sixth and final leg and claimed a second successive Pirelli Superbikes Championship Series crown at Clark International Speedway in Pampanga recently.
The victor in five of the six races this year, Watanabe wrapped up his title campaign with 147 points in the series that is part of the 2014 Motorsports Championship Season presented by Petronas and sanctioned by the Superbikes Racing Association (SBRA).
Watanabe had actually clinched the title after five legs.
Raniel Resuello of Team Ducati Philippines gave Watanabe a big scare by stealing into the front on the second to the last turn, but the Fil-Japanese refused to give up and regained the lead heading into the final straight.
Watanabe crossed the line just 0.549 of a second ahead of Resuello.
Resuello wound up second overall with 128 points while Anthony Roman, also of Aprilla, took third place with 114.
Jussi Hoikka of Team Ducati won the Intermediate class over Tracy Soyangco and TJ Alberto but Rizaldy Canare clinched the overall title with 135 points despite finishing fifth.
Hoikka fell short by just 3 points.
Soyangco claimed the Superbike Novice title over Lawrence Macalinao of Team Ducati who won the final leg, while Jericho Arnaiz and TJ Alberto checked in third and fourth overall.
John Defensor took the Superbike Master championship over Ducati teammates Toti Alberto and Charles Nolasco.
