TRAILING in the first 30 minutes, 23-year-old James Paulo Ferfas of Koronadal City broke away in the final three laps to emerge open elite champion of the 82nd Araw ng Davao road bike criterium event held at the Crocodile Park grounds Saturday, March 9.
Ferfas of Single Track clocked a total of 34 minutes and 48.35 seconds, beating Davao City riders Ronnie Urdaneta and Carl Rofilov Dayanan who finished second and third, respectively.
Urdaneta timed 35:12.42 while Dayanan registered 35:15.78 in the race organized by Tropang Trumpo and raceLink and sponsored by the city government of Davao through the Sports Development Division.
Ferfas, who works as a part-time mechanic in Koronadal, said he only paced at the back of the pack in the first 30 minutes.
“Nagpahinga ako last 30 minutes sa likuran pero after nag-try ako makaalis sa pack. Marami silang naghahabol taga Davao halos at malalakas sila. Sinubukan kong makalabas sa grupo at nung nagawa ko, tinuloy tuloy ko na,” he said in an interview with SunStar Davao after the race. Ferfas was also 18-below champion in Araw ng Davao cycling last year.
Single Track coach Michael Abad, who clinched the executive title, said 10 Koronadal riders competed in the bikefest. Their stint was supported by the city government of Koronadal.
Abad, in a separate interview, said: “Nakapagprepare din kami nung nalaman namin few weeks ago na may laro dito so every category may representative kami.”
He topped the executive class over Ernst Louie Peralta of Sta. Cruz, aManila and Romney Demoral of Carmen, Davao del Norte.
Koronadal bets Jeg Mendoza, Redintor Fortuza and John Carl Linga also made a top three finish in 18-under category.
Meanwhile, Davao City’s Carlofer Salonga and Liza Abellana ruled their respective events.
Salonga, who hails from Maa, annexed the masters crown over fellow Dabawenyos Glen Yap of Panacan and Christopher Eyao.
Abellana, for her part, pocketed the ladies title over Lianne Paster dela Cerna and Asia May Celestine Aranda.
Cash prizes, medals and trophies were awarded to the winners.
The mountain bike competition will unreel today in Barangays Maa, Langub, Matina Biao, Biao Escuela, Magtuod, Waan, Tigatto and Buhangin.