TALISAY CITY --- James Robinson of New Zealand grabbed the limelight yesterday as he beat Filipino Glenn Aguilar for the professionals open crown in the first round of the Camel Supercross International Championship Series at the Talisay Stadium here.

Aguilar, a 2004 Asian supercross champion, however, drew first blood as he topped the professionals 125 cc division defeating Jovie Saulog and Kenneth San Andres, both of the Philippines, who finished second and third, respectively. Robinson placed fourth in the event.

After going neck-to-neck for the top honors, Robinson, a former international supercross winner, pulled away from Aguilar after the latter fell down in the last turn of the fourth lap.

The mistake of Aguilar, who is also a former international supercross champion, caused him to trail 500 meters from the New Zealnad standout, which proved to be insurmountable advantage with 11 laps to go. Aguilar, though, closed the gap to 200 meters by the end of the race and finish as the first runner-up, while the veteran Saulog placed second runner-up in the international event that will stage its second round at the Santa Barbara Race Track in Iloilo City on March 5.

Robinson expressed satisfaction with his performance after the win, but said he would have not achieved the feat without luck.

"I'm very glad I won, but it might have been a different story if Glenn (Aguilar) did not fall down. Somehow I got lucky, but a win is a win," Robinson told the DAILY STAR.

In the professionals 125 cc race, Aguilar relied on his great acceleration coming out from the turns to bring home the championship.

Macky Carapiet, president of the National Motorcycles Sports and Safety Association, said riders from Canada and Saipan also competed in the event that drew 110 participants. *CIT

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