The 1st Leon Invitational Motocross
Terlito Argel, President of Flying Lions
Motorcycle Safety Riders Club with Leon
Council Abe Beatingo.
It was five months ago when a group of motorcycle aficionados in the municipality of Leon contracted the Cagalitan family to turn the scenic ala-delta lot along Sibalum River, fronting Baltazar-Aquino Bridge and Sitio Buntalan Hillsides into a Motocross track. From then on, every Saturdays and Sundays starting from July to early November, the area became filled with motorcycle riders practicing on manmade terrain and humps. The area became a haven and arena of thrill, fun, extraordinary and extreme adventure.
Eight-yearold CB Jordan of
Barotac Viejo topped the kids
event.
On November 12, 2006, almost a thousand spectators from all walks of life converged around the race track in Sitio Balud, Lanag, Leon, Iloilo to witness the “First Leon Invitational Motocross” hosted and facilitated by the Flying Lions Motorcyle Safety Riders club of Leon with the support of various sponsors and donors. The well participated event with riders from Leon, Guimbal, Banate, Guimaras, Oton, Iloilo City, Barotac Viejo, Maasin, Sta. Barbara, and Villa, was opened with a short program graced by no less than Mayor Romulo C. Cabana.
The riders competed in eleven events, namely: beginner local enduro (28 riders), beginner production (15 riders), pantra (18 riders), novice loacal enduro (24 riders), kids (4 riders), novice production (12 riders), moped (10 riders), executive (8 riders), expert local enduro (16 riders), expert production (7 riders) and All-Leon (6 riders).
After the spectacular and seemingly death-defying leaps and turns the triumphant riders received their trophies and cash prizes atop the elevated platform. The well-participated beginner local enduro event was topped by Noli Paredes followed by Niel Cagampang and Marj Glen Posadas. Michael Desbaro managed to top the beginner production event followed by Arnel Paguntalan and Meltor Cliff Cabailo.
The darling of the crowd Niel Cagampang of Leon end up third in the pantra event despite several falls, as Arnel Alarba won the event followed by Armando Benares. In the novice local enduro event, Francyl Barrido won the race, followed by Jovino Tugbang III and Norberto Alarba. The well-cheered kid’s event was led by an eight-year old rider of Barotac Viejo, CB Jordan Loreno, followed by Jued Bachoco and King Arthur Calfoforo of Leon. Jose Rizal Bacabac ruled the novice production event followed by Jaevan Bacabac and Heres Jun Suresca. In the moped event, Gilbert Glenn Elumba took the lead followed by Rutchel Enganob and Jued Guiller Bachoco. Herbert Balasote headed the executive event with Kirk Balasote and Edwin Sumergido as 2nd and 3rd placer, respectively. In expert local enduro event, Michael Desbano topped the category followed by Roberto Alarba Jr and Judy Bacabac. 
The breathtaking expert production event title was garnered by the debonaire Kenneth Balleza followed by Heres Jun Suresca and Jaevan Bachoco. Nelson Canillas came first in All-Leon event, followed by Niel Cagampang and Ian John Capatan.
Two of Leon’s star riders and crowds’ favorite Kevin Argel and Jaypee Calfoforo failed to win an award because both suffered minor injuries (broken arms) in two separate final events.