Pikaboo succeeds Cuki in Expert Class

Shane “Pikaboo” Alvarez surprised his dad, Cuki, with an early 53rd birthday gift by succeeding him as the champion of the Expert Class of last weekend’s 2023 Turkey Cross at the at the Cowtown Race Park.

The 30-year-old Financial & Insurance Services Group staff lost the first heat to Guam’s Blaze Aiken only to win the last two to top the division with 72 points.

Aiken, who topped the first heat on Day 1 on Saturday only to succumb to the younger Alvarez in the last two heats later that Saturday and Sunday, wound up with 69 points. Another Guamanian, Johnny Aguon, completed the Top 3 with 58 points.

Alvarez said he’s extremely happy about winning this year’s Expert Class and admitted it’s one of the hardest things he’s ever done in his life.

“Especially this year there were three heat races so it definitely was a grueling awesome battle. We were able to get the title last year for Turkey Cross so we knew they were gonna come hard this time around and after winning the season here I really wanted to put my No. 1 [ranking] to the test and see if I can beat the Guam crew,” he said.

Alvarez did acknowledge that Guam riders haven’t had any much practice these past few months.

“They lost their track after Smokin’ Wheels so they didn’t have a track to practice on for a while but they did what they could to get ready and they definitely brought the heat as always. We had a dry race on Saturday so it was really high speed and battles nonstop.”

Track or no track in Guam, the battle between Alvarez and Aiken was intense nonetheless.

“The first heat I was able to get out front in the first lap and hold it for about seven laps then the arm pump really started to kick in… I was able to hold onto second place until the last lap which definitely kept me in the battle for No. 1 and I just had to win the second heat.”

And that’s what Alvarez went on to do aboard his trusty 2023 Kawasaki 250f.

“The second heat of the day I got the hole shot and rode as fast as I could while trying to stay composed and control my breathing because I needed to win and needed my arms to last… I kept feeding myself positive thoughts and focused on hitting my lines clean so I don’t get more tired.”

And on the last lap, Alvarez said he could hear Aiken revving right behind him especially on the last turn but he was able to hold him off until the checkered flag.

With both Alvarez and Aiken with a heat each, it set up perfectly for the winner-take-all showdown on the third heat on the last day of the Turkey Cross.

“On Sunday it started raining really hard from and it was a slippery race for every class. This made it even crazier because on a wet track it’s anyone’s game especially when the mud comes into play with vision. If you have a bad start, you’re gonna have a bad time and a face full of mud. I was able to get the hole shot again, but the two Guam riders were right beside me. I tried to push them wide and steal their line but they were quick to read me and almost made the pass on the first turn we were all fighting for the hole shot but I was able to hold them off out the turn.”

Aiken shadowed Alvarez in second place and the fight was on for Expert Class supremacy. Good thing the latter had some tricks up his motocross sleeves.

“Once I caught traction, I did my best to blast as much mud as I can so that it would be harder for them and I have clear vision. Even with that he was always right behind me. He even tried to make the pass twice but I would just edge him out and cause him to make a mistake. He would reel me back in but once he gets close, he would make tiny errors that would lose him a second or two and back to fighting to get right up next to me again.”

Both riders were neck and neck the whole race and pretty much pushed each other past their limits.

“My hands were getting numb with 3-4 laps to go so I used my legs as much as I could, and once I saw the white flag (last lap) I got this burst of energy and just when I was about to give up, I got the feeling back into my hands. I made sure I stayed up on two wheels and I knew he had to be just as tired as I was. It was tough because it was still slippery everywhere so anything can happen. Thankfully I was able to hold him off again with about a 2-second lead and secured the win,” said a relieved Alvarez.

He went on to dedicate the win to his old man, who last year edged him for all the marbles.

“He’s not only my teacher and main competition but also our mechanic making sure our bikes are always ready to race and last. He takes care of all the many little things that play a huge part to keep the bike in tip top shape every time it goes out. This year I didn’t have him to help me in the Expert Class because he hasn’t been riding as much and didn’t want to overdo it. But he reminded me that he wholeheartedly believed that I could do it. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have been able to dig as deep as I did and secure the No. 1 title.”

Results of the other division of the 2023 Turkey Cross will be published in tomorrow’s issue of Saipan Tribune.