Ome get his first win in Luzon

Jerome “Ome” Rodriguez finally got the win that has eluded all Visayan executive cyclist for a long time. Ome won the Cat 3 (cat B here), 40km crit, the final leg in the 3-day, 3-event Aboitiz Power Tour of Subic held Sept 2-4. He attacked with 2km to go and nobody could touch him until after the finish line.

Ome had been responsible for exhorting local executives to join races in Luzon. He is also a pioneer CC executive to join races in Luzon. When racing outside Cebu, he rides for a team sponsored by HBC (Hortaleza)/JAC MOTORS in the Luzon executive racing circuit with other local riders like John Gayatin, Phillip Sainz, Art Lambo, TyreLambo, Amon Espinosa and Ned Revilla.

Jonathan Simbajon, a teammate of Ome and racing in Cat 4 (cat C here), placed 3rd in the 80km, mountainous stage 2. This is Jon’s first time to race in Luzon area as an executive rider and I’m sure he impressed a lot of guys there with his strength.

Executive racing in Luzon, compared to our local races here, are like apple and oranges. The event is so professionally organized and that in the 2010 Tour of Matabungkay, I was surprised that they were able to start the race on time even if it was raining cats and dogs.

The competition, while mostly friendly, is at another level and transponders are normally used to avoid complaints regarding results. Race safety is exceptional and the race marshals are knowledgeable about the race.

On the other hand, the registration fees are a bit too much for the ordinary cyclists. That’s because great events are expensive to organize. Trophies are handed out for the winners after the race and that’s pretty much it. There’s no cash prize since theoretically, executives don’t need the cash prize to motivate themselves.

 Here in Cebu, it is unfortunate that there are still people who think that cycling should have cash prizes and at the same time, that they should pay a minimal registration fee for bike races. Well, I got news for these guys- if you want prize money, turn pro, or get a job!

My other complaint is that putting 300 cyclists in one racing group is like daring the cycling gods. I understand that the organizers need to have a profit for their investments but safety, in terms of lesser number of participants, should be seriously considered.

Hopefully, Ome’s win will be the first of many for our Cebu executive cyclists and will spur more recreational riders to try the racing scene.

Finally, I’d like to congratulate again all the members of the team that went to Subic- Ome, Art Lambo, John Gayatin, Jong Sepulveda, RaldyVios, Tata Codina and Jonathan Simbajon. Well done, boys!!!...... John Gayatin was involved in a crash during stage 2 resulting in a broken collarbone and a cracked pelvis. Yes, cycling is dangerous sport but if you’re wearing the right equipment, like your helmet, serious injury can be avoided. But crashes are hard to avoid in cycling because they are part and parcel of bike racing. Get well soon, John!