Foreign riders rule Ducati opener

THE EMERGENCE of new talents, the overwhelming support of the huge crowd and tight battles for the titles altogether made the recent kickoff of the Ducati 2013 a blockbuster at Batangas Racing Circuit.

Foreign riders Peter Cotter and Mikko Mannerkorpi shone brightest in the 18-man field as they brought their motorcycling weekend hobby into a whole new passion for competitive racing.

Cotter completed the six-lap race in 10 minutes and 34.078 seconds to emerge champion in the premiere Ducati Overall Open class.  Mannerkorpi checked in second, 4.319 seconds behind while Nikki Romero placed third.

John Defensor clinched the Ducati Masters crown, beating Toti Alberto.  Veteran Miguel Bichara landed third.

Rey Relativo ruled the Ducati Super Seniors class over Benjamin Ladra.

Team Ducati Philippines also scored big in the Superbikes Series kickoff with Defensor, Alberto and Charles Nolasco pulling off a 1-2-3 sweep in the Superbikes Masters class.  Defending Superbikes champion Raniel Resuello was runner-up in the Superbikes Expert class, Marvin Mangulabnan third in Intermediate class, and Jan Vincent Mercado and Nikki Romero runner-up and third place, respectively, in Superbikes Novice.  Steve Silva, Contributor