68 riders race it out at the 2nd Butuan motocross tilt

By Erwin M. Mascariñas
Correspondent . 

Butuan City — Some 68 professional and amateur motorcycle riders from different parts of Mindanao battled it out at the dirt obstacle track during the second invitational motocross competition on Saturday.

The competition, which started in 2018, was one of the events highlighting the weeklong Kahimunan Festival in Butuan City celebrating the feast of Señor Sto. Niño in Barangay Libertad. 

“After the success of the first motocross invitational competition in 2018, this year we had a much bigger competition. We have more teams and riders that came with about 17 teams comprising 68 riders attended the event compared to the 52 riders from 11 teams last year,” said Emmanuel Manman Gabor, event organizer.

The organizers of the event noted that teams came to Butuan City from as far as Davao City, Tagum City, Digos, Kapalong in Davao del Norte as well as from Malaybalay in Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Tagoloan, and Magsaysay in Misamis Oriental. 

“While other teams traveled far, our local riders in Butuan City and other parts of Caraga Region did not miss out on the event. We had riders from Agusan del Norte coming from the towns of Kitcharao, Las Neives, Nasipit, and Cabadbaran City. Riders from Agusan del Sur representing Prosperidad and Bayugan City were also present during the competition,” Gabor added 

Cymph Zephanee Neites, chairman of the Sanguniang Kabataan in Barangay Libertad expressed her optimism with the event.

“The motocross competition is a collaboration with the barangay officials and the organizer. Initially, we only expected around ten teams but we were thankful that more team came to join the competition,” said Neites.  

Stanley Nunez from Bukidnon took the first place during the Pantra category while Rhon Valledor of Cagayan de Oro City earned the second spot and Wendell Pangan of Davao bagged the third place.

For the power enduro category, the first place went to Pj Boy Matundo of Butuan City, second to Omi Atis of Kapalong, Davao del Norte and third to Jared Chato from Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.

Stanley Nunez took the novice category with second place to Von Gamboa of Panabo and Jo Art Mapula of Butuan taking home the third.

For the executive category, Yuki Dumanon of Butuan City took the first place followed by Kim Chatto of Panabo City and Tristan Galanto of Davao at third.

The expert category riders highlighted the day with longer and higher jumps which were capped off by Kimboy Pineda of Tagum City, followed by Nino Manacap of Davao on second and Juven Lagrada of Loreto, Agusan del Sur on third.

For the ladies category, Kecy Rose Abayon of Davao took the first place, followed by Bernielyn Chan and Rachel Villoces both from Tagum City took the second and third spots.