Shane Alvarez displays the “red plate” trophy as he poses for a photo with the other Expert Class participants of the 2023 MRA Monster Energy Points Race Series during the awards ceremony on Saturday at the Saipan World Resort Taga Hall.
WHEN it comes to motocross, father and son Cuki and Shane Alvarez go head-to-head, but this time, it was the son that came out on top by clinching the “red plate” trophy in the Expert Class of the 2023 Marianas Racing Association Monster Energy Points Race Series.
Throughout the seven-month-long season, Cuki and Shane had been going at it, but Cuki missed the last race, which allowed Shane to shine with a total of 276 points.
Shane has participated in all three seasons so far, but he was injured in the inaugural series and missed several races the second time around.
“Man, it’s the ever-evading no.1 red plate and I was able to get it finally,” Shane said during the awards ceremony on Saturday at Saipan World Resort.
“I was battling my dad the whole time, as always, and I was very lucky my dad missed the last race because he was flagging. That gave me the edge, so I was able to take the gold. But it’s not 100% because I didn’t race my dad for the whole season. But next season, I plan on keeping up with him for the entire series,” Shane added.
For Shane, this year was special not only because he won his first title, but because he and other CNMI riders were able to race on Guam for the Smokin’ Wheels event.
“We tried new tracks and Guam always has crazy fun tracks,” he said.
As for the competition on Saipan throughout the MRA series, he stated, “Everybody is good; it’s honestly anyone’s game. Someone could get injured and thankfully I was safe this season.”
Shane said he “dedicates this win to my parents, my fans, supporters, and girlfriend. But especially to my dad — he’s not only my main competitor, he’s also our mechanic and our main sponsor. Thankfully, he gave me the win by not racing the last round; it’s the only way I won it.”
Both Cuki and Shane ride a 2023 KX250F bike.
“So it’s fair game. He’s just a bit more in shape and has that stamina that I’m lacking,” Shane said, referring to his father.
In second place in Expert Class was Dave Celis with a total of 240 points followed by Ellery Cruz in third with 210 points.
The other Expert Class riders were Cuki Alvarez, who garnered 194 points; Melvin Cepeda, 168; Patrick Togawa, 133; Charles Cepeda, 127; Julian Salalila, 99; and Alverick Alvarez, 94.
Other results will be featured in Variety’s next edition.
