Reghis “RG” Romero V finally fulfilled a lifelong dream that escaped him 11 years ago as he bagged the Rookie of the Year title in the 17th Golden Wheel Awards at the Trade Hall 2 of the Clark International Speedway recently.
On the strength of his strong showing in the 2019 Philippine Super Bikes Championship, the 2019 Pirelli Cup and the 2019 Ducati Cup, the 27-year-old Romero was the hands down choice as the Rookie Rider of the Year for Super Bikes Racing of the Golden Wheel Foundation, which is finally feting its motorsports awardees after a two-year layoff due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“My Rookie of the Year award is very special to me because when I started racing in 2008 for karting, the rookie award was my main target. Unfortunately, I was not able to get it. Eleven years later, I am very proud of myself to be able to achieve it especially in motorcycle racing as it is not just my passion, but my entire family’s considering that my dad, Red Romero, was one of the founding members of Club 200. He was the one who pushed me to join and be into motorcycles,” said Romero.
On top of his rookie plum, Romero also received his awards as the 2019 PSBK Rookie overall champion, 2019 Pirelli Cup Heavyweight A Class overall titlist and 2019 Ducati Cup Expert Class 2nd Runner Up.
Romero last stepped into the Golden Wheel Awards stage in 2009 for being the 2008 overall champion of the Asian Karting Open Championships Formula SL Junior Class.
“Due to the pandemic, there are very few places to train so the best training I have is through riding my bicycle. Doing at least 30 minutes a day to an hour is enough to keep my stamina strong for the upcoming races,” Romero said.
“I am also thankful that despite the pandemic, our organizers of the PSBK still managed to have races during these trying times,” added Romero, who thanked Club 200, MotoGarage Performance, Ducati Philippines, R-II Builders, Inc. Prime Homes, Gabby and Santi Clothing, Lenvoisa Construction and riding coach Joey Storm Rivero of Zero2Podium for his achievements.
A day later after receiving his numerous accolades in the Golden Wheel, Romero, riding a Panigale V4 Base with full Ohlins Suspension, was back at the Clark International Speedway on Oct. 1 to 3 to reaffirm his status as one of the country’s top riders as he came through with a 1st-place finish in the PSBK Novice Class legs 3 and 4, a 2nd-place feat in the PSBK Intermediate Class legs 3 and 4 and a 1st-place achievement in the Ducati Cup Expert Class legs 3 and 4.
“It was a tougher race than the first two rounds as there was a long break of three months due to the rise of COVID-19 cases in our country. But thank God, it still gave me even more time to be even more prepared,” said Romero, whose last triumph in the racing circuit came last June in Legs 1 and 2 of the PSBK, not to mention a title romp in the Ducati Cup Expert Class Leg 1.
But Romero isn’t finished stringing the wins yet.
“My plans for this season is to prove that I am not just the top rookie of 2019 but the future of Philippine superbike racing,” Romero said.