CEBU - Reigning “Rider of the Year” Seigfred Ornopia showed he was right in his decision to race under a new category in the Castrol Philippines-backed 4th MS Motosuit Motocross Series as he grabbed a championship trophy and a runner-up finish in the first leg of the year-long tilt billed as the 8th Barangay Captain Manuel Wagas Cup the other day in Sitio Tuburan, Jubay, Liloan.
Ornopia, who had been racing in the executive class for the past three years, is now seeing action in the beginners open production and novice open production class.
Athough he is competing against younger opponents, Ornopia managed to take home the beginners open production title. Ryan Quirol landed second, while last year’s mini class overall winner Keith Galaura wound up third.
Ornopia also competed back in the executive A category, but missed the top spot over Jun Enriquez who had long been itching to outshine the former.
Ornopia got the third place honors in the novice open production as John-John Flores placed second.
Ornopia’s triumph came even more sweeter as his son Byrlle bested four other riders to dominate the peewee category. It was the first time in the series that the peewee race had more than three participants.
Tommy Narcosa copped the second place honors followed by BJ Pepito, Marian Yapparcon, and Kerry Ornopia.
Jon-Jon Adlawan, after a lackluster performance in 2008, got off to a flying start by topping the expert class. He outsmarted Wensor Famorca, while the returning Weng Yapparcon settled for third.
Famorca made up from his loss to Adlawan by clinching the intermediate crown, while Yapparcon and host Clark Wagas occupied the second and third spots, respectively.
Butch Flores reigned supreme in the executive C title, Edsel Gohitia lorded it over in the executive B, Martin Nunez topped the local enduro, and Ayen Ledesma emerged as the best rider in the novice enduro action. (THE FREEMAN)