Iranian cyclist tops third leg of Le Tour de Filipinas

LINGAYEN -- An Iranian cyclist representing the Islamic Azad University finished first in the third leg of the 2011 Le Tour de Filipinas which ended here Monday noon.

Iranian cyclist Mirsamad Pourseyedi Golakhour finished first with a total time of 3:37:12 with a 13-point bonus.

Meanwhile, five Filipino cyclists landed in the top ten finishers in the race's third leg.

They were received by Governor Amado Espino Jr. at the Capitol Plaza. He was joined during the awarding ceremony by Le Tour de Filipinas 2011 Chairman Edgardo Cayton.

The 148-kilometer third leg started at Iba, Zambales around 8:10 a.m. and ended at Lingayen, Pangasinan.

Filipino pedal pusher Cris Joven (American Vinyl) came second with the same time (3:37:12) but with 9-point bonus.

Manaoag, Pangasinan-native Ericsson Oboso (7-Eleven) finished third clocking 3:38:09 with 4-point bonus.

Fourth to tenth finisher had identical time of 3:38:09 with New Zealand's Rico Rogers placing fourth; followed by Philippine's Bryant Sepno (Air21), Mohd Shahrul Mat Amin of Malaysia, Miyataka Shimizu of Japan, Nur Amirul Fakhruddin of Malaysia, Baler Ravina of Asingan, Pangasinan (Smart), and another Filipino Eusebio Quinones (Shopinas).

For the cycling competition's fourth leg, the cyclists will take off at the Capitol Plaza around 8:20 a.m. Tuesday. They will go up Baguio City and cover the 152-kilometer distance, including challenging Kennon Road, dubbed as the killer leg in cycling contests because of the ascending zigzag road.

A simple program will be held around 7:50 a.m. with both the governor and Cayton giving a message. Espino will fire the ceremonial shot to signal to start of the race. The fourth leg will end at Burnham Park in Baguio City.

The 2011 Le Tour de Filipinas promotes the protection of the environment, carrying the theme "Save the Seas."

Previously, the Le Tour de Filipinas was known as the Tour of Luzon, a much-awaited cycling competition during summer time. It later became known at Marlboro Tour, Tour of Calabarzon, Tour Pilipinas, and the last as Padyak Pinoy.

Pangasinan has produced a number of Tour of Luzon champions. The present crop of Pangasinense cyclists followed the footsteps of their predecessors, winning cycling contests both national and international. (LCMY/Sunnex)