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Wednesday, February 25, 2004
In the fast lane
By Reynan Sularan
Warning: This is not just an ordinary bike race. This is an extreme bike showdown. Close your eyes. I'll take you to THE FAST LANE.
It was a sunny Sunday morning. The time was 9:30. The mountain bikers rode to one direction. Their bikes brought them at the grand gathering of all riders in Iloilo City. Bikers were on full racing gear. Helmets in different colors were worn; racing shoes were fastened and bikes were properly assembled. "Are we all set?" asked the man named Francis. All right, let's go!
The gunshot was a signal. Bang! Riders on the first clutch, now it seems it was their first race. You see their face frowning as they clutch the first cycle of their bike rims.
Now, these bikes were not for commuting sake. This was a bike race with a cause -- to promote sports tourism in Iloilo. There is a group of daredevils who meet regularly for a weekend ride in outskirts of the city and formed a group sometime in 2001. They are called Mountain Bikers (Trail Riders) Club of Iloilo City (MBCI). They now dominate the bikers world in the city and plan to organize a race to determine the best and the fastest mountain bike riders in Iloilo.
The 1st SM City Iloilo Mountain Bike Criterium Challenge is the test. MBCI ruled the event held on Feb. 15.
Expert
MBCI's Ricky Heberola topped the Expert category while his fellow club members Giovani Nonato and Elpidio Jaruda ruled the Masters and Executive, respectively.
The tournament has seven categories - Expert (Open), Sports (29 and below), Veterans (30-39), Masters (40 and below), Executive (50 and above), Beginners (Open), Women (Open). Another category is for road bikers.
In the Expert, Heberola is followed Michael Borja of IMBA, second place; Jonathan Umbac of DUCC, third; Fermo Escabarte Jr. of Vorbic, fourth place; and Oscar Acdol of Bikers Unlimited, fifth spot. Noel Elangos of MBCI trails Nonato for the second place in the Masters.
Jose Junito Alumbro of CMBA is third; Greg Camarinas of MBCI, fourth; and Greg Palmes of MBCI, fifth.
In the Executive, Jaruda is followed by Marianito Ramirez, second; Boy Alfaras of MBCI, third; and Oden Palomar of MBCI, fourth.
Sports
Michael Borja of IMBA topped the Sports category while Delun Nolasco of UMBI followed for second place. Third placer is John Paul Las Pias of MBCI, fourth, Ricky Heberola of MBCI; and fifth, Oliver Puertollano of UMBI.
Veterans
Winner in the Veterans Category is Jacobo Suficiencia of LCC while second placer is Ronnie Manaay of BCC.
Armen Delicias of MBCI is in third; Ramil Martinez of TAO, fourth and Lino Jagunap of LCC, fifth.
Beginners
Oscar Acdol of Bikers Unlimited topped the Beginners category while Donalo Palcat of TAO placed second.
Regie Palma of MBCI followed at third; Rene Selagiora of NLBA, fourth; and Marlon Dumahod of IMBA, fifth.
Women
Winner in Women category is Alexandra Ganzon of UMBI. She is followed by Mylene Hupeda of BCC, second; Rhodora Sustento of BCC, third; Rachel Aluntin of Coyote, fourth; and Luna Janice Lim of Janiuay MTB Association, fifth.
Road (Open)
Lino Jagunap of LCC topped the Road (Open) while Jeremiah Lizardo of ICA ranked second.
In third place is Fermo Escabarte Jr. of Vorbic; fourth place, Reyzer Marcalina of TAO; and fifth place, Jacobo Suficiencia of LCC.
BMX flatland (Open)
Winner in BMX Flatland (Open) is Rey Ann Sumagaysay while second placer is Melchor Cabarles.
Ivan Alconada placed third; Francis Salundares, fourth and Rainier Roxas, fifth.
(February 24, 2004 issue)
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