Melvin ‘Iron Man’ Cepeda is Rider of the Year

Veteran rider Melvin “The Whip” Cepeda was awarded the coveted Marianas Racing Association Rider of the Year plaque and apparently a new sobriquet during the 2023 Monster Energy Point Series awards banquet last Saturday at the Saipan World Resort.

During an interview after the banquet, “Iron Man” couldn’t hold back his emotions as his eyes teared up when asked how he felt about winning the award. While seemingly lost for words, the soon to be 53-year-old said that he was overwhelmed and did not expect to win it at all.

Perks of being a veteran rider (40-years-old and up), he said, is that they get to join in on all the races—Novice, Intermediate, Expert, and Veterans class. Cepeda did just that this season and bagged podium finishes—second in the Veterans Class and third in the Intermediate Class. He also made the Top 5 in the Expert Class.

Cepeda said of his performance this season, “I think this year, my riding is way more up there. It was a good year for me.” He recalled that he wiped out just once this season and was happy that it was just that one time.

Even as an older rider, Cepeda said he still plans on competing aboard his trusty Yamaha YZ250f. He said he knows that young riders look up to him and plans to continue showing them that even older people can still ride.

Cepeda works at Hyatt Regency Saipan and joked that hopefully one day they can sponsor him. He then thanked MRA “for all their hard work. Thanks to the whole MRA family. I appreciate all the support.”

He then dedicated his win to his wife, Eleanor, who is secretary of MRA’s board. Cepeda said, “she’s one of my biggest supporters… She bought me my bike.”

MRA president Charles Cepeda said they chose “Iron Man” as the Rider of the Year because of his endurance on the track—hence the new moniker. He did a couple of races in Guam—three heats, one after the other and he did very well, said Cepeda.

Not only that, Charles added that “Iron Man” won a podium finish for two out of his three races, so he believes he deserves the title as Rider of the Year.

“Iron Man,” said Charles, is one of the riders “who just comes to race, rides, practice, doesn’t complain—not that complaining is bad—but he just comes and enjoys the ride. He’s a long-time motocross rider—I’ve raced and rode with him before and I can see he really enjoys motocross racing.”

As for why he’s also called “The Whip,” Melvin Cepeda got it because whenever he does jumps on his bike he whips the back to the side in style.

Winners of the other classes of the 2023 Monster Energy Point Series will be published in the next issues of Saipan Tribune.