Three months removed from his crowning as Rookie of the Year of the Golden Wheel Awards, Reghis “RG” Romero V of Club 200 has leveled up and won the novice crown of the 2021 Philippine Super Bikes Championship, to go with the overall title of the 2021 Ducati Cup at the Clark International Speedway recently.
It’s clear that the 28-year-old Romero wants to become the better version of himself every time he steps into the racetrack. It has been a mantra that has served him in good stead as he continues his goal of becoming the Philippines’ best superbikes racer.
“Being the best rookie of 2019 was just the beginning. Now that I have won the 2021 Novice Class, it’s time to take it to the next level and compete for the Intermediate and Expert class for the 2022 season,” said Romero, who proved that his Rookie of the Year award was no fluke as he swept all of his races in a dominant weekend show that fortified his status as two-wheel racing’s brightest rising star.
The 28-year-old Romero, who was crowned Golden Wheel’s best rookie superbikes racer last October, lived up to all of the hype and expectations by ruling both the 2021 PSBK novice category and the 2021 Ducati Cup in grand style.
Riding a Panigale V4 Base with full Ohlins Suspension, Romero ruled the PSBK in impressive fashion, defeating eventual runner-up Manuel Chu and third placer Jacq Buncio for the novice crown.
For emphasis, Romero was even more potent in the Ducati Cup. In Leg 5, Romero started from the back of the grid and passed everyone methodically before securing the victory in the 14-rider field. He was even more impressive in the sixth leg, where he began at pole 4 before leaving everyone in his trail for the masterful win.
Romero’s scintillating performances here and his past races netted him the PSBK Novice Rider Overall Championship and the Ducati Rider of the Year plum.
“This is very important because I wanted to prove that I’m not only the Rookie of the Year of 2019, but a future PSBK Rider of the Year,” said Romero, adding that the double win was his Christmas gift to his supportive family and a fitting personal gift to himself on his recent birthday.
Romero’s recent string of successes proved that hard work pays off.
“This season has been the most challenging so far because the level now is really high with training coaches, and new technology of the bikes and tires. I had to practice at least twice a week to achieve my goal lap time which was 1.55. Very happy with the result of my qualifying on Friday with a time of 1:54.7 as my new personal best. Achieving that time really shows that hard work pays off,” said Romero, who for his feats thanked Club 200, which was founded by his father Red Romero, MotoGarage Performance, Ducati Philippines, R-II Builders, Inc. Prime Homes, Gabby, and Santi Clothing, Lenvoisa Construction and riding coach Joey Storm Rivero of Zero2Podium.
“Now that the COVID cases are lower, preparing for the race is much easier. I ride my mountain bike with my eldest, 5-year-old son every Saturday to increase stamina for a 10-lap race in the PSBK Championships,” said Romero, who is slowly but surely carving a niche for himself in superbikes racing.