Yamaha PH introduces riders for 2024 season

MANILA: Yamaha Motor Philippines (YMPH) introduced its roster of riders that will don the country’s flag and race under the brand’s banner in various racing series for 2024.

The lineup will cover on- and off-road racing competitions here and abroad.

Yamaha PH circuit racing team

McKinley Kyle Paz, who recently competed in the FIM JRGP European Championship, will vie for the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) SS600 category this year.

“The Wonderboy” was previously the ARRC 2019 UB150 Champion.

He is banking on the knowledge and abilities that he earned in his time contending in the European racing scene to place at the top spot in the upcoming series.

Paz will be racing under the Yamaha Tekhne ASEAN Team.

Alongside him are April King “Rocketboy” Mascardo and Gian Carlo “The Flash” Mauricio. The duo plans to bring the ARRC UB150 title back to the Philippines (which Paz had back in 2019) in their third year of racing in the series.

To note, Mascardo placed third overall in the ARCC UB150 category back in 2022.

Finishing at the top has since escaped both riders but YMPH expressed belief that they have elevated their degree of preparation and are poised for retribution.

Also introduced was YMPH’s Satellite Teams. The 4S1M Yamaha Evo Racing Team has “The Hitman” J.E. Inguito at the helm. He will also be competing in the UB150 category of the ARRC.

Meanwhile, the SEC Yamaha Racing Team has JD Purino, Andrei Reyes, and Bethany Tolentino who will continue their foothold in national competitions.

YMPH also announced its partnership with TWMR (Two Wheels Motor Racing) the official race promoters and rights holders of the ARRC. Their agreement, per the motorcycle company, will allow the streaming of the SS600 and UB150 categories live on the Yamaha Philippines Facebook page.

Yamaha PH off-road riders

In addition to YMPH’s on-road racers, it also showcased its off-road racing bets, which is led by Bornok Mangosong (also known as “The Lion"). Mangosong recently achieved the rare Triple Crown feat after claiming the title Rider of the Year three consecutive times.

Arguably one of the best off-road riders the country has to offer, Mangosong will continue to establish his dominance locally and represent the nation in overseas competitions.

Together with Mangosong is Pia Gabriel, called by many as “The Princess of Philippine Motocross.” Gabriel is regarded as one of the top female riders locally and has two Female Rider of the Year honors under her belt. For this season, she is just a few twists of the throttle away from claiming her third.

As an icon for female riders, she is well aware that her victories not only bring glory but serve as inspiration to those who aspire for greatness.

Young guns

YMPH also revealed its young talents, namely Moy Reyes, Zain Kaizzer Doblada, and Mytchell Joshua Ngo. The three young riders have qualified to be part of the R3 bLU cRU Asia-Pacific Championship. They are all vying to win the regional tournament to qualify for the world championship in 2025.

“Yamaha continues to cultivate racing passion which started from a humble grassroots program to national and global campaigns. And at the heart of that racing story is the Yamaha Riders. All have experienced shortcomings and defeat to triumph and glory. Through all these adversities and victories is how they are molded into Yamaha Champions. The greatest races of Yamaha are yet to come,” the company wrote in a press release.

Photos from Yamaha Motor Philippines and Juan Paulo Papa

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