Watanabe stuns superbike champ

MANILA, Philippines - Dashi Watanabe upset defending champion Raniel Resuello to cop the Expert crown in the kickoff of the Bridgestone Philippine Superbikes Series, part of the Petronas Phl motorsports season, recently at the Batangas Racing Circuit in Rosario, Batangas.

Watanabe, aboard an Aprilia, got the needed breaks in time to humble the Ducati RAR Castrol Motolite racing team in the nine-lap race in 14 minutes, 21.782 seconds, 0.409 seconds ahead of Resuello and his 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale.

The win also boosted the 15-year-old Watanabe’s bid  for a career milestone after a  series of third place finishes behind former champion Glenn Aguilar and the late Maico Buncio three years ago.

Anthony Roman of Castrol Dudshop checked in third while Rizaldy Canare and Marvin Mangulabnan wound up fourth and fifth, respectively, in the event sanctioned by Superbikes Racing Association (SBRA) and backed by Bridgestone as the official Superbikes tires and media partners Racing Beat @ Wave 89.1, Inside Motoring @ DZRJ810khz and Motorsiklo Xklusibo @ DZME 1530.