Cebu Cycling's Road Race

Just before last Sunday's race, John Gayatin told me before the race that he was burned out from road racing and wanted to take a break for the rest of the year but because this was our race, he had to join and support the event. John has been all over Luzon to join most of the well known executive races since the start of the year. Well, he wasn't disappointed since he beat 4 other riders in the dash for home in the other day's Category B, Cebu Cycling Danao-Ilihan-Danao Road Race, in just over two and a half hours in the saddle.

John beat a strong but clearly tired Amon Espinosa, John Christopher, Phillip and Ome Rodriguez

In category C, Southern Leyte's Urbano Baculanta of team Panny's Home Bakeshop won in another exciting sprint finish. Urbano, already a grandfather, was an unknown material at the start of the race, beat Jonathan Simbajon and Toto Lim after the tough out and back, 88km event.

In spite of the early morning rain, the weather turned out to be pleasant and cool at the rest of the day, making the race perfect! It was also a surprise to see new faces in the race as it will pump new blood to the sport.

One rider who never stop to amaze me is Finnish rider Keijo Kuha. Keijo is a young 65yo and came in 6th in the B category. After the race, Keijo, who is married to a Leyteña from Palompon, a transplanted Finn in that Pacific island, said proudly, "I will be 66yo this February", in his best Arnold Schwarzenegger imitation. He is also a former national time trial champion in his category back home.

The great thing about the event was that there was no major sponsor, it was really a "bayanihan" event, with everyone pitching in for the prizes. Had it not been for the unified Cebu Cycling community, there wouldn't be any event at all. A big "thank you" should also go the crew of Mark Ylanan, who as usual, did a great job in keeping the race fair and safe.

Cebu Cycling's next event will be on January 8-9, the 11th Annual Tour ni Frank.

Who, me? Don't give me that velvety stare!

What kind of Pandora's Box did I open up last week when I wrote that the Lakes were hummin'? Maybe I'm a jinx or something since after I wrote that column, the Lakes were losers of four consecutive games. I've decided that from now on, I will be concentrating cycling exclusively. Or maybe not.

Results: Danao-Ilihan-Danao (12/5/2010)

CAT B 1- John Gayatin, 2- Ramon Espinosa, 3- Phillip Sainz, 4- John Christopher, 5- Ome Rodriguez

CAT C 1- Urbano Baculanta, 2- Toto Lim, 3- Jon Simbajon, 4- Ryan Ocanada, 5- Tata Ty, 6- Keijo Kuha

Results Cebu Cycling Rider Of The Month Race #1 CAT (12/4/2010)

1- Ryan Ocanada, 2- Manny Secretaria, 3- Gary Fernandez, 4 - Urbano Baculanta, 5- Nonoy Abasola