Cuki cooks competition in Expert Class

Cuki Alvarez leads a pack of riders in the Expert Class of Marianas Racing Association’s Turkey Cross Race last Sunday at the Cowtown Race Track in Marpi. (LAO ZHANG)

True to his “The Janitor” moniker in the mixed martial arts fight scene, Cuki Alvarez cleaned up the competition in the Expert Class of Marianas Racing Association’s Turkey Cross Race last Sunday at the Cowtown Race Track in Marpi.

The 50-year-old boat captain actually edged his son, Shane, in the second heat to claim the championship of MRA’s one-off Thanksgiving race. Both finished with 47 points with Shane taking the first race, 25-22, before Cuki won the second race, 25-22.

“I ended up winning the tiebreak because I won the second heat and that counts in the end. So I got the top podium. It was awesome!” said the elder Alvarez.

He added that he’s just clinging as long as he can to the Expert Class pole position, as eventually his sons—Shane and Alverick—and other up-and-coming riders will eventually topple him from his lofty perch.

“Next season is gonna be real a tough challenge because all the riders have improved tremendously this past year alone! In the beginning of the 2021 season, it wasn’t as hard to win races just because I have been racing bikes the past 45 years! So I have experience on my side. But midway through the season all my competitors picked up the speed and started beating me!” he said

Cuki went on to say that his biggest challenges will come from his two sons, Ellery Cruz, Angelito Hernaez, Dave Celis, Champi Villacanes, and Patrick Togawa.

“All have potential to win races!” he added.

Charles Cepeda, right, and Champi Villacanes in action in last Sunday’s Marianas Racing Association’s Turkey Cross Race last Sunday at the Cowtown Race Track in Marpi. (LAO ZHANG)

Since it’s Thanksgiving, the owner of Trench Tech Gym also took time to thank his family and supporters.

“First of all, I am thankful to wife who is my biggest supporter! Our whole family races so we bond all the time and it makes the racing much more fun and worthwhile. Of course, the MRA board who works tirelessly on bringing motocross action to our island and maintaining the track with the help of the Department of Public Works and the Saipan Mayor’s Office and of course numerous volunteers. Last but not least are the general members and racers! Without them, we are nothing,” said Cuki, who recently celebrated his birthday.

Alverick completed the Top 3 in the Expert Class with 40 points, followed by Cruz (36 points), Charles Cepeda (30 points), Togawa (30 points), and Villacanes (16 points).

In the Mini II Class, Vicente Palacios had a perfect ride by topping both heats for 50 points. He was followed by Ethan Yumul and T.J. Ferrer with 44 points and 38 points, respectively. Devin Yumul (38 points), Mari Alvarez (32 points), Leighton Palacios (29 points), Calix Cruz (29 points), Matthew Guerrero (25 points), Hunter Derocher (25 points), and Marissa Rasa (11 points) also saw action in the Mini II Class.

Henry Camacho Sr. was the man in the Big Boy ATV after edging Christian “Hollywood” Camacho in the division. Both riders totaled 45 points, but the former edged the latter in the second heat to claim the championship. Rex Susulin completed the Top 3 with 44 points.