He was called the Philippines’ fastest man on two wheels and a four-time national Superbikes champion. What made Filipinos proud of Maico Buncio, however, was the fact that he was the driving force behind the country’s campaign in the Asian Superbikes.
Named after a motorcycle brand in Europe, Maico Greg Buncio got his first ride, courtesy of a plastic toy car from Toy Kingdom, when he was four. At the early age of five, he didn’t only join a number of motorcycling events but won most of them. His earnings enabled his family to start their own business—a motorcycling-parts shop along Rizal Avenue in Caloocan City and Mandaluyong City.
“Every morning, Maico woke up at 4 to exercise, and then drove to the Namssa Racetrack in Bicutan to practice with his motocross bike. After practice, he would man the store in Mandaluyong and then go to the Caloocan branch after taking lunch with the family,” recounted his mother Mylene.
She remembers her son as a shy, serious and very business-minded man even in his early years. At a very young age, Maico’s dream was clear—to become the first Filipino motorcycle racer to compete internationally.
Even after his graduation at the O.B. Montessori in 2006, Maico continued to visit the campus, acknowledging his school in his professional endeavors and triumphs.
Living his dream
When he was 16, Maico topped the 1996 FBO Motorcross series in the 50cc category held in Tagaytay City. He made history when he finished first in the 2007 Shell Advance Superbikes Series, toppling 10-time Rider of the Year Jolet Jao. He was 19 then.
For three consecutive years, Maico reigned supreme in the Superbike National Championship and at the same time dominating other motorbike events, including the FMF Memorial Day Motocross Races in California, USA.
A self-confessed fan of Italian motorcycle legend and nine-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi, he became the 2010 Philippine Sportswriters Association awardee for motorsports and Driver of the Year honoree of the Golden Wheel Awards.
Maico was also named one of the two riders to carry the Philippine flag in the Asian road racing circuit.
Just weeks before his untimely demise, he competed as part of the Suzuki Philippines team in the first leg of the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) in Sepang, Malaysia.
This writer was lucky to be part of the media contingent on the first leg of ARRC. Seeing Maico on the racetrack made me proud to be a Pinoy. He was really a world-class contender on the race, doing all the best that he could just to make his country proud of him.
A fateful day
On May 14, while riding his bike and hurtling at 220 kph, Maico’s bike crashed and skidded 100 meters on the track in a qualifying race in Clark Field, Pampanga.
Despite efforts to save his life, Maico succumbed due to massive internal bleeding from serious injuries.
News of Maico’s demise spread like wildfire and in minutes, Maico’s Facebook wall page was swamped with messages. Everyone from the motorsports industry mourned his loss. His fellow participants and motorsports enthusiasts at the Clark International Speedway stopped and offered a minute of silence for the eternal repose of his soul.
My heart sank when our motoring editor, Popong Andolong, told me about the tragic death of Maico. I was like a big fan of him, even when he was just starting early in his career. He was a good person, a humble and true gentleman. I used to bump into him during motoring events and races.
During my last interview with him on the first leg of ARCC, he mentioned to me that he really wants to win. “Kahit na mahirap ang laban, pipilitin ko na tayo ay masama at maging kampeon dito. Isa lang naman ang gusto kong mangyari pagkatapos ng karera. Ito ay makita na tinataas ang bandila ng Pilipinas at tinutugtug ang ‘Lupang Hinirang’ sa patimpalak na ito,” said Buncio.
If not for his passing, Maico would be surely be gunning for his fifth consecutive Superbikes crown.
