Sunday, May 04, 2008 Kings of downhill By Marian C. Baring Sun.Star Staff Reporter
THE Barba family has something to be proud of as three Barbas dominated the Congressman Red Durano Road and Mountain bike Invitational Cup downhill competition yesterday at the Manlayag, Patag course in Danao City.
Although not closely related, Joey, Elezar and Wendell share something other than the same surname—their love for speed, danger and the ability to challenge gravity as they won the top three spots in the Open division of the downhill competition yesterday.
RP team member Joey made up for a bad start to come up on top of the event.
Heavy rains forced the race to be moved on a later time, however, the slopes turned muddy, causing a number of racers to suffer bad falls.
One of those who kissed the mud was Joey, who suffered a bad fall in the second drop of the first heat and had to scramble in order to get back in the race.
This, however, did not save him and he wound up at third during the first heat. In the second heat, Joey showed his expertise as he zoomed past the mud and the forbidding drops in picture perfect form.
Joey posted the best time of 5:03.65 minutes in his second run to take the top spot. Elezar of Iligan City came in second after posting 5:06.85 in just his first and only run. Joey’s cousin, Wendel, came in at third with 5:18.
Meanwhile, Michael Borja, a former RP team member, could only salvage a fourth place after slipping down the course twice.
On the other hand, the youngest daredevil in the field, Kevin Temblador, showed off his impressive form to win the beginners division, which saw Iloilo riders pulling off a 1-2 finish.
BMX rider
Temblador, the 15-year old stalwart from Iloilo City and Borja’s protégé, refused to yield to the dangers of the sport to win the title after registering 5:27.25. Temblador, who started as a BMX rider, was discovered by Borja when he kept tailing Borja in practices.
“He goes with me and I have seen that he is very willing to learn and he has guts so I decided to train him,” Borja said of Temblador.
“The thrill is nothing like BMX. The speed is very different,” Temblador said.
Temblador is a second year high school student and sees a huge future for himself in downhill events. “I hope to be a member of the RP team someday,” he added.
The beginners division saw the most number of riders taking part in. Gabby Cordova, also from Iloilo, took second place with a time of 5:29.40, while Cebu’s Galvin Galan finished at third.
In the executive’s division, Cagayan de Oro’s Boy Sarol took the top plum, while Dumaguete’s Jemuel Moreno came in second. Motocross rider Gene Faelnar came in at third place. Sun.Star Cebu graphic artist Bambam Gacko, on the other hand, salvaged seventh place.
