by Edcer Escudero
CHAMP!
That’s how I call him, for that’s exactly what he is—a true champion, a legitimate winner of more than 400 motocross races in a span of 11 years.
Roderico Antor Llubit, Tata to his family and friends, is the undisputed No. 1 and winningest professional moto-cross rider in Davao City today. His winning will not probably be equaled, much less surpassed, for some years to come.
Tata started racing professionally in 1999 at age 24. He won his first championship race in 1998 at the Ecoland racetrack. He has raced against the best riders from Mindanao.
His winning record is truly outstanding, and the envy as well as inspiration of fellow professional riders. Look at these amazing figures:
First Place—350 wins; Second Place—61; Third Place—36; Fourth, Fifth Place—17.
All these were won in various categories, such as—Expert Open; Intermediate Open; Pro-Am Open and Novice Open.
Moto–cross racing is a dangerous sport, and the best riders have suffered, at one time or another, serious enjuries. Tata is no exception, having been thrown off his bike and suffered broken legs and bones in actual competition.
He had two major injuries: The first in 2003 when he broke his left leg and was sidelined for six weeks; the second was in 2005 that left him out of competition for two weeks with a broken collar bone.
Tata is a quiet, unassuming and very likable guy. What makes him stand out is his unabashed humility. The constant winner that he is, he does not exude the air of arrogance or cockiness found in some champions. He is even shy to a point.
But once aboard that two-wheeled speed machine, Tata is transformed into a ferocious and fierce competitor, extremely focused and energized by an indomitable will to win, to leave the competition behind literally gasping for breath.
Tata considers two of his championship races as the most memorable and the most unforgettable: One—the two day competition in Sirib, Calinan and Tugbok, Davao City where he won four championships in four categories consecutively; Two—the race at the Peñaplata racetrack where he crashed on the first lap but managed to continue the 12-lap race and finish first. This was in 2006.
Now, the good and bad news: For female moto-cross aficionados, Tata is still unattached and is on the look-out for his dream girl. For his fellow pro riders, Tata says that he feels he still has at least three more winnable, riding years before he parks his bike at home for good.
See you at the racetrack, CHAMP!
