Pantonial tops controversial second leg of RCM October edition

Despite suffering a puncture in the early goings of the second leg race, Michael Pantonial kept his daring charge to lead in the overall standings of the Road Cyclist of the Month October edition at the Mandaue City reclamation area.

After two legs, Pantonial of Team Gwapings now has 40 points, 10 points ahead of Spark Kleen's Xerox Lauron spa who earned 30 points.

First leg winner Boy Pagnanawon of Team Kalit dropped at third with 25 points, while Orlan Toring of Rut Machine Shop stands fourth with 21 points.

Another Gwaping bet, John Paul Baco, and last month's winner Jun-Jun Canasa of Team Kalit are tied at fifth place with 18 points apiece.

Pantonial's way up did not come in easy and was shrouded with controversy.

"There were some confusions when a complaint was made that Michael Pantonial, who had a puncture early on, deliberately joined the lead group, instead of chasing it, after he received a wheel for his flat," said Dr. JV Araneta, an official of the organizing RECYCLE.

"But nobody witnessed the "crime", so per RCM rule, he (Pantonial) finished the race fair and square," added Araneta.

In the team overall classification, the Gwapings led with 69 points. Kalit slipped to second with 48 points, while Spark Kleen ranked third with 40 points.

Filling up the fourth to sixth places are Rut Machine Shop with 31 points, Quickflight with 26 points and the Social Climbers with 20 points.