Surban dominates ITT event

Not wanting to settle for less, Niño Surban make sure no one will be above him anymore as he reigned supreme yesterday in the individual time trial of the Padyak Pinoy Visayas-Mindanao elimination covering a total of 40 kilometers from Danao to Sogod and back.

Not even a flat tire prevented the 20-year-old Surban from posting the best time after missing the top spot of the road race the other day. And if there would have been an over-all standing, Surban’s time and position in the two-day action could easily place him on top.

Surban, sponsored by Nagashima, Danao City Sports Commission and Councilor Boying Rodriguez, pulled a strong start, averaging 40.5 kilometers per hour.

However, his patience and perseverance was tested when he biked with a flat tire going to Catmon. But he was able to changed his rear wheel in front of the Carmen Parish Church in less than a minute.

Surban clocked 55 minutes and 25.34 seconds, which is more than the required qualifying set of one hour and 10 minutes, to the delight of his manager Jerome "Ome" Rodriguez.

Another promising racer from Cebu, Jaybop Pagnanawon, son of former Tour Pilipinas champion Rolando Pagnanawon, grabbed the second best time of 55:46.55 while Dexter Nonato of Davao City placed third in 56:27.81.

Three-time tour campaigner, Robert Villaber, finished fourth in 56:44.01.

First day top finisher, Albert Basirgo, came out fifth yesterday and was among the top 16 riders going to the Tour proper on May.

Only five out of towners made it to the top 16 with the rest being taken away by the Cebuanos.

The rest of the top 16 qualifiers are Nilo Barbalose of Toledo City who finished sixth in 57:39.69, Earl Vince Cadampog settled seventh in 57:47.23, Almer Camay of Davao del Sur was the eighth placer in 58:09.30, placing ninth was Randy Carbonera in 58:28.85 and Davao’s Marcial Catanggui ranked 10th in 58:32.26.

Occupying the 11th to the 16th slots are John Paul Baco (59:03.82), Adonis Bohol (59:38.10), Rey Dumandan (59:38.57), Hilario Ladra (59;50.11), Norman Navarro (1:00:03.94) and Tots Tonido (1:00:30.74), respectively.

Other riders, who were placed in the reserve list were Gritel Patadilla, Filomeno Amago, Rex Camariñas and Telen Menson.

The four, which belong to the 17th to the 20th spots have been reserved in case a rider under the top 16 list would not make it to the final battle.

The two teams that will be made out of the top 16 qualifiers will be encountering the Philippine Team cyclists on the final battle. — Caecent No-ot-Magsumbol and Marigold P. Lebumfacil