Yamaha Racing PH Team welcomes Sobretodo, to compete in ARRC UB 150 category

MANILA: The Yamaha Racing Philippines Team has welcomed Eane Jay (EJ) Sobretodo into the factory outfit, where he will compete in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) Underbone (UB) 150 category alongside mainstay April King Mascardo.  

His signing was revealed at the Yamaha Philippines Racing Team track day, during which the company presented its 2025 roster for competition in various motorcycle disciplines. 

“Natupad na yung wish ko na makabalik ulit (My wish to return finally came true),” Sobretodo stated. 

“Ma e-expect nila na magiging agresibo ako, magiging fighter ako ngayong taon kasi gusto kong manalo. Yun din yung gusto ng team. Gusto nating makakuha ng overall ngayong taon (They can expect me to be aggressive, I’m going to be a fighter this year because I want to win. That’s what the team wants too. We want to get the overall win this year),” the newest Yamaha Philippines Racing Team member noted, showing his grit and determination to succeed in the coming season.

Winning mentality  

Soon after the Yamaha Racing Philippines Team made the announcement, Soboretodo ceremoniously slapped his number on the machine he will compete with. 

The sticker had the number “122,” stylized with a black snake in the middle. 

In an interview, Sobretodo told Zigwheels Philippines that in addition to being born in the Year of the Snake, he also looked up to the late Kobe Bryant — with the latter’s ethos resonating with the former. 

“Yung mentality nya talagang in-adopt ko, yung mga 4 a.m. na gising nya… talagang in-aaply ko. Kasi nga sabi nya wala yan kung basketball player ka, kung chess player ka, pare-parehas tayong athlete (I really adopted his mentality, him waking up at around 4 a.m.… I really applied it. Because he said it doesn’t matter if you’re a basketball player, if you’re a chess player, we’re all athletes), he said. 

“Gusto kong maging consistent sa lahat ng bagay. Kahit na pagod-na pagod ako kasi may mga class din ako — nag aaral pa ako ng college, medyo late na ako umuuwi — I still wake up 4:00 a.m. in the morning to jog 10-15 kilometers a day para ma-boost yung stamina ko (I want to be consistent in everything. Even though I’m really tired because I have classes — I’m still studying in college, I come home a little late — I still wake up at 4:00 a.m. in the morning to jog 10-15 kilometers a day to boost my stamina), he added.  

His adopting of the so-called Mamba mentality — Sobretodo pointed — was key to him winning the Yamaha Challenge Camp, a program launched by Yamaha Motor Philippines to find the next member of its works crew. 

Sobretodo told the author that during the try-outs, he felt confident as he knew that he was ahead of the game. 

“Siguro tulog sila, ako nagtraining. Kaya confident ako na matanggap dito (Maybe while others are asleep, I’m out there training. That’s why I’m confident I’ll get accepted here),” he commented. 

Experienced rider 

Sobretodo has more than just a winning attitude. His most notable achievements include a podium finish in ARRC back in 2016 and a win at the Inside Racing Grand Prix XIV Motul MotoIR2 Grand Prix in 2022. 

He also competed in the below races: 

• Honda One Make Cup (2014)
• Moto IR Championships (2018)
• Angkas Dream Cup (2023)

Backed by decent track experience as well as winning mindset, Sobretodo looks secure more wins with his new crew. 

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