Ace Japanese rider fills Buncio’s shoes

MANILA—A Japanese rider who helped prepare the late Maico Buncio for his first Asia Road Racing Championship last month will take his place in the 600cc Supersport class when Team Suzuki Pilipinas resumes its quest in the second leg in Sentul, Indonesia starting today.

Yusuke Teshima, the 2009 All-Japan Road Race champion who rode with Buncio several times during the run up for the ARRC first leg in Sepang, Malaysia, will be the country’s bet in the centerpiece event according to team officials.

John Lery Enriquez will again be back in the saddle for the Underbone 115cc category.

“We are not stopping our journey,” said Suzuki Philippines president Satoshi Uchida. “We are going to offer the ARRC to Maico and Suzuki will achieve his dream for him.”

The SPH boss vowed to continue the campaign as tribute to the Filipino champion rider who died after crashing and getting stopped by a misplaced steel bar at Clark Speedway nearly a month ago.

The 28-year-old Teshima was hired by Yoshimura Japan to give Buncio technical knowledge of the bike which he himself helped tune-up. Last year, Teshima was also the wildcard rider for six legs in Moto 2.