Barba tops downhill event in Danao m’bike

RP’s top downhiller Joey Barba bounced back from a first heat mishap with aplomb to win the expert open crown of the Congressman Red Durano International Road and Mountainbike Championships yesterday at the Manlayag-Patag tracks in Danao City.

Barba, the first Pinoy downhiller to win a gold in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games last year in Thailand, miscalculated the second drop partly because of the slippery course caused by the heavy downpour earlier in the day.

But before going for his final run, Barba checked the obstacle that placed him on the second best time in the first heat and made sure he will never suffer the same fate.

Aided by experience and determination, Barba was right on target to top the race in five minutes and 3.65 seconds.

It was an all-Barba affair in the open division as Joey’s counsins Elezar and Wendellposted a 2-3 finish, preventing Michael Borja from getting barging into the top 3 spot.

The upcoming Elezar clocked in 5:06.85, while Wendel finished the 2.5-kilomtere course in 5:18.07.

Borja, who also suffered a bad fall, ended fourth with 5:28.93 followed by Delon Lunasco with 5:36.35.

In the executives division, the never say never attitude of Boy Sarol paved his way on top.  He Sarol posted a time of 7:03:16, while Jumwell Morena placed second in 7:28.61.

Cebu City Sports Commission executive director Gene Faelnar wound up third in 8:20.40.

In the beginners class, Kevin Temblador came out the fastest with 5:27.25 through the first heat followed by Gabby Cordova with 5:29.40. Galvin Galan settled for third in 5:58.29.

The road race, which was reset today due to the slippery course, will be held an hour earlier from the start of the cross-country competition.

This leaves cross-country specialists Eusebio Quinones, Nino Surban and Erick Feliciano no choice but to compete in only one race in this Danao City Sports Commission-organized event.– Caecent No-ot Magsumbol