Resuello shines in superbike series

MANILA, Philippines - Raniel Resuello toughened up in the last 50 meters to pull off a victory in the fifth leg and virtually capture the overall crown in the Bridgestone Philippine Superbikes Championships at the Batangas Racing Circuit in Rosario, Batangas recently.

Resuello, of Kawasaki Racing Team-Castrol-Motolite, fended off Anthony Roman in a tight final lap duel then sustained his pace in the main straight to the finish line to seal his fourth win in five races in the series sanctioned by Superbikes Racing Association (SBRA) with Bridgestone as the official Superbikes tires.

The 22-year-old Resuello’s feat also marked the return of Kawasaki in local racing, the last was during Jolet Jao’s 10-year reign as Superbikes champion.

He wrapped up the 10-lap race in 17 minutes, 31.646 seconds or barely 0.073 of a second ahead of Roman with Marvin Mangulabnan checking in third and veterans Toti Alberto of Ducati Access Plus and John Defensor ending up fourth and fifth, respectively.

With the win, Resuello hiked his total 122 points, way ahed of Roman’s 100-point aggregate.

Resuello needs just to finish the championship race on Oct. 7 at the Clark International Speedway to formally clinch the crown.

He also remains in the hunt for the Open Expert crown following his win over Toti Alberto, and the Intermediate title against Roman and Mangulabnan,

Alberto also copped the Masters title over Defensor and Charles Nolasco while Roman prevailed over Mangulabnan for the Novice plum.