Pinoy riders third in Asian road race

Team NAMSSA-Philippines romped off with third place overall honors recently in the 10-country 2006 Asian Roadrace of Nations (ARON) at the 2.5-kilometer Nakhonchaisri track located at Nakhonchaisri District, Nakhonprathom in Thailand.

Jaime Barcial, Maico Buncio and Roderick Chua were so impressive from the start as they claimed the No. 2 spot for the Philippines during the qualifying time trials using unfamiliar Yamaha (Crypton Z) bikes provided by Yamaha Thailand.

Barcial was the most consistent Filipino rider as he finished fifth overall together with Buncio, who landed seventh among 30 riders in the prestigious event.

Chua also delivered a strong performance finishing 13th overall among 30 riders for Team NAMSSA-Philippines backed up by the Philippine Sports Commission, www.namssa.org, Norkis Yamaha, OZ Racing, Fastlane, Bike Plus, Far Eastern Univenture, YRS, Xtreme Cdi’s, Revzone and Nitro Shock Absorbers.

Relying on sheer talent, the Pinoys gave a strong fight in qualifying time trials and Race 1 to deliver the runner-up place for the country.

But Indonesia, which got disqualified during the qualifying time trials being underweight during tech control, unleashed a strong surge in Race 2. Still, the three Pinoy riders put up a gallant stand on their four-stroke Yamahas and landed third place just two points behind the former.