Popeye rules Quickflight Downhill Classic

Cebu's top motocross rider Popeye Rubi debuted in downhill mountainbiking with a bang after he ruled the second leg of the Quickflight Downhill Classic at the Velasquez-owned property in Busay, this City.

Rubi snatched the experts class title of the full-suspension bikes, denying RP cross-country specialist Nino Surban from taking back-to-back titles in this Nature's Spring and Audionet-presented event.

The 24-year-old Rubi's bike chain was dislodged in the first run that caused him some time, but was able to bounce back in the final run to capture the crown with the time of one minute and 39.92 seconds.

Surban, who decided to join the race in the last minute, grabbed the second place honors with the time of 1:42:09.

In the novice class, it was Bryan Boter who snatched the top post with a 2:04:59 clocking, while Faron Gurrea 's 2:09:56 and Jovanni Vullaluz's 2:13:97 placed them at second and third, respectively.

In the executives class, Edgar Virtidazo was unopposed.

Former top motocross rider, Gene Faelnar, also stole part of the limelight by posting back-to-back victories in the hardtail classification.

Faelnar only needed one run to claim his second experts class title after Ian Gurrea conceded early in the race. Faelnar had a time of 2:08:17.

In the novice class, Bawing Bucariza won the title with the time of 2:02:11, defeating Hansel Bacalso's 2:11:80.

In the beginners class, the top three were Michael Morilles, Kevin Paul Yu and Lex Lopez, while in the executives class, Churchill Lopez grabbed the first place over Apen Sanson as Jun Jarder finished third.

In the special cross-country event for the executives class riders, Miguel Flores of Bikehub dominated the class A battle.

Flores outpedaled Hector Bucariza as Wedston Bucariza went away with the third place honors.

In class B, it was Jasper Navarro who won the first place, while Jonathan Simbajon was unchallenged in class C.