Leongson WGA rider of the year

Multi-titled rider Ernie Leongson opted to play it safe and simply rode to his heart’s content as he formally captured the premier Pro Open title of the Superferry National Motocross Super Series 2002 Saturday at the PAMRI Racetracks, Army Adventure Zone in Taguig, Metro Manila.

With the Pro Open (Rider of the Year) title safely tucked under his belt even before the starting gun, Shell-Yamaha’s Leongson simply enjoyed every minute of the series’ final leg of the Pro Open, where he emerged second to leg winner Glenn Aguilar of Caltex-Revtex-KTM.

Interestingly, Leongson was meanest in the Pro 125 division, which he topped, ahead of eventual champion Jovie Saulog, a teammate.

"I thank God for giving me the strength and my teammates for all the support. I’ve been very blessed this year. Walang injuries and I was able to capture three motocross titles," said Leongson, who is also champion of the Saipan and Guam Invitationals.

Providing the stiffest competition to Leongson was his fierce rival Aguilar, who unleashed everything in his arsenal en route to the Pro Open leg win to end an up-and-down season with a bang.

"It would have been a different scenario had I been able to complete all the seven legs, but it’s all part of the game. Bawi na lang ako next year," said Aguilar, who missed three of the seven legs due to a back injury.

Being declared champions based on points after seven legs of this series organized by Hartebeest Entertainment Corp., are Sam Tamayo (Power Enduro, Open Prod., Beginner Prod.), Pepo Rubi (Expert), Eric Miravalles (Dual Sport), Bobby Mencias (Exec.s Open), Rex Barbaso (Beginner Local) and Jimboy Marcelo (Mini-Class).

Seventh-leg winners aside from Leongson and Aguilar are Kenneth San Andres (Mini Class), Donark Yuson (Power Enduro), James Wilson (Kids 9), RC Galvez (Kids 7), Joebanie Leyva (Expert), Ted Conde (Open Prod.), Bong Miravalles (Dual Sport Enduro), Roman Llorente (Exec. Open) and Barbaso (Beginner Prod.).

"It was a very successful Superferry Motocross event and we look forward to a longer series next year. We’re talking of probably 12 legs here," said Richard Gomez, chairman of the Kabataang Iwas Droga sa Tulong ng Sports (KIDS) Foundation, which co-organized the event.

The final leg was made possible by Superferry, in cooperation with WG&A Freight, Bench, No Fear, ITTI Shoes, Nature’s Spring Drinking Water, Dreambikes, Crossover 105.1 and The Army Adventure Zone, through Gen. Dionisio Santiago and Col. Robert Gervacio of the Phil. Army.