Yamaha PH reveals rider roster for 2024 season

Yamaha Motor Philippines (YMPH) revealed its roster of race riders that will compete in upcoming races locally and internationally in 2024.

According to the local arm of the Japanese motorcycle brand, its rider lineup is spread into two categories and will cover on- and off-road events in Asia this year.

Yamaha PH on-road bets

Leading the pack of YMPH’s circuit racing team is McKinley Kyle Paz.

“The Wonderboy” came from a three-year stint in the FIM JRGP European Championship. He is back this year to race in the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) SS600 category.

In 2019, Paz won the ARRC UB150 series — giving Filipino race fans a taste of victory.

This year, Paz will be racing under the Yamaha Tekhne ASEAN Team.

Joining Paz are April King “Rocketboy” Mascardo and Gian Carlo “The Flash” Mauricio. The duo aims to bring the ARRC UB150 title back to the Philippines and replicate what Paz did some five years ago.

To note, Mascardo finished third overall in the ARRC UB150 category back in 2022.

Finishing at the top has since eluded Mascardo and Mauricio but they have elevated their degree of preparation and are poised for retribution in their third year in the competition.

YMPH also announced its partnership with Two Wheels Motor Racing, which is the official race promoter and rights holder of the ARRC. Thanks to their agreement, the SS600 and UB150 categories can be watched live on the Yamaha Philippines Facebook page.

Also introduced was the brand’s Satellite Teams, which are the 4S1M Yamaha Evo Racing Team and the SEC Yamaha Racing Team. The former is led by J.E. Inguito — who will also race in the UB150 category — while the latter team is comprised of talents JD Purino, Andrei Reyes, and Bethany Tolentino.

Yamaha PH off-road team

On the other hand, the duo of Bornok Mangosong and Pia Gabriel will be flying YMPH’s flag for off-road racing.

Mangosong — who is also known as “The Lion” — recently achieved the rare Triple Crown feat after claiming the title Rider of the Year three consecutive times. He will continue to establish his dominance here in the Philippines and represent the nation in overseas competitions.

As for Gabriel, “The Princess of Philippine Motocross” has under her belt two Female Rider of the Year honors, and is just a few races away from claiming her third.

Gabriel is well aware that her victories don’t just bring glory but is an inspiration for those who aspire for greatness.

Nurturing young talents

YMPH also revealed its young talents who have qualified to be part of the R3 bLU cRU Asia-Pacific Championship. Moy Reyes, Zain Kaizzer Doblada, and Mytchell Joshua Ngo 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,” YMPH wrote in a press statement.

Photos from Juan Paulo Papa and Yamaha Motor Philippines

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