MANILA, Philippines - Businessman Nikki Romero flashed vintage form to humble his younger rivals and turn in an impressive third place finish in the Petronas Motorsports Superbike and Ducati Superbike Cup at the Batangas Racing Circuit in Batangas recently.
Back on the tracks after a decade-long absence, Romero, president and CEO of Primehomes Inc., rallied to finish second runner-up and upstage some of the finest riders from Europe in the Ducati Open Class category.
“It’s a good result considering that I’d been away from competitive racing for 10 years,†said the 36 year-old businessman who is a member of prestigious Club 200. “What I need now is to practice more and fine-tune my timing, there’s room for improvement really.â€
The younger brother of Globalport owner Mikee Romero also finished second runner-up in the Petronas Superbike Novice Category with his trusted 2013 Ducati Panigale race bike.
“It was another tough race but I will prepare harder next time,†said Nikki Romero, who was crowned Rider of the Year in 2003 when he won the Philippine National Championship.
His co-Club 200 members Miguel Bichara and Rey Relativo also did well as they made it to the podium in the Masters and Executive Class categories, respectively.
Romero credited his big comeback in the sport that made him a byword in the Superbike circle to his being a member of the Club 200.
“As a member of Club 200, we ride every Sunday to either Nasugbu in Batangas or in Sierra Madre in Rizal for more than 15 years. And the long trips around the Philippines had helped toughen me and keep me in shape,†said Romero.
Beating Romero for the Open Class top honor were Australian Peter Cotter and Finnish Mikko Mannerkorpi while Rizaldy Canare ruled the Petronas’ Novice category with Jan Vincent Mercado finishing second.