Colwill humbles local aces, tops Superbikes

MANILA, Philippines - Australian Richard Colwill upstaged the leading Pinoy riders and won the Superbikes crown in the second leg of the 2012 Bridgestone Philippine Superbikes Championships at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga recently.

Colwill clocked 20 minutes, 41.284 seconds in the 10-lap race, winning by just 0.378 of a second over Batangas kickoff winner Raniel Resuello.

Colwill captured both the Expert and Intermediate crowns while Resuello finished second in both races of the event sanctioned by the Superbikes Racing Association (SBRA) and supported by Bridgestone, the official tires.

Anthony Roman, the reigning underbone king, checked in third overall while John Defensor and Erwin Agra wound up fourth and fifth, respectively.

Colwill took the pole position in the final race, but slipped to fifth as Roman, Resuello and Marvin Mangulabnan seized control from the second lap to the fifth.

But Mangulabnan also slipped after overshooting the grassy area at the end of the main straight, leaving Ronan and Resuello in the chase for the crown. 

However, Roman slowed down while Colwill rallied back into the main pack and diced with Resuello going to the finish line. Banking on his solid defensive line, Colwill kept Resuello behind to claim the checkered flag. 

John Defensor finished third in the Expert class while Toti Alberto of Ducati-Access Plus wound up fourth.

For details, contact the Batangas Racing Circuit c/o Nelson Gayola or Rodini Rivera at (632) 729-72 41-42, 729-5365 or fax 844-7766, Mobile 0922 8858410 or like us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ Batangas Racing Circuit.