Surban to compete in India

CEBU’s top mountain biker Niño Surban is planning to join the first International Mountain Cycling Competition on Nov. 2 to 4 in Kerala, India.

The event aims to make Kerala the future hub of annual international cycling events. 

According to Surban, a bronze medalist in the Southeast Asian Games, the India event is part of his preparation for the Mountain Bike UCI World Cup Series next year, when he is looking to complete the whole series.

“All the best riders in all countries will be competing there, so the riders who you will be competing against in the World Cup are also there,” said Surban. “My second target is the world championships then the 2016 Olympics. I’m taking it one step at a time.”

Surban failed to join the Asian qualifying for the 2012 Olympics after he encountered problems with his passport last year. It was a wasted opportunity for Surban as three slots were awarded to Asia. Japan’s Kohie Yamamoto topped the qualifiers.

“I hope I can finally compete in the 2015 Asian qualifying. That will be my long-term goal and then I will give my best shot to chase my Olympic dream,” Surban said.

For the meantime, Surban will be concentrating on the world cup series.

“If I will keep on competing in the world cup, I will earn points, then I could qualify for the world championships, then Olympics. As of now, I don’t have many points because I can only compete once every year, like the Asian championships, or the SEA Games,” said Surban.

Surban said he wished he would have the same support from the government, like what Yamamoto is getting from Japan.

“That’s why it’s not a surprise that Japanese top international events, not just in mountain bike, but other sports as well,” said Surban, whose trips abroad are financed by Oscar Rodriguez and Dan’s Bike.

Surban’s first target for the world cup series next year is the 13-15.4 World Cup in Belguim.