Ica Maximo delivers second medal for Cebu City in Batang Pinoy

CEBU, Philippines - On her very first try in another sports discipline and using a brand new Marin-Mazocchi-WTB equipment straight from the box, Ana Patricia Maximo of YKKBikes.com surprised the field by capturing silver medal in mountainbike event of the Batang Pinoy National Finals held yesterday morning along the New Airport Road in Bacolod City.

It's now gold and silver medals for Team Cebu City, the first time the city entered in cycling events of Batang Pinoy, a nationwide sports competition for young athletes aged 15 years old and below organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and supported by the Local Government Units (LGU).

Fresh from her gold medal performance in the road race, the Grade 8 student of Sacred Heart School-Hijas almost made it for another gold medal finish, with just a mere seven seconds difference from winner Maia Yusay of Bacolod City who completed the race in 36 minutes 50 seconds. Mikaela Paulina grabbed the third place honors with the time of  43:14.

The 2013 Phil National Games (PNG) Junior Track Cycling double medalist started strong, leading the field in the first half of the race. She, however, failed to sustain the momentum due to sudden surge of strong winds and the unfamiliarity of racing with a MTB equipment.

"That was the first time I get to race a mountainbike. I didn't even have the time to practice with it since we knew late that the organizers are putting up a MTB event. YKKBikes.com have to set up a new racing bike just in time for the race. I really appreciate the support YKK Trading have given me all this time," shared the 14-year-old Maximo.

"I had a hard time adjusting my cadence speed since I am used to a road bike. I think that was the reason a ran out of gas towards the end. I need more time to practice with it," she added.

Overall, it was a successful campaign for Icamax as she put her hometown in the stands, not once, but twice. (PR)

"I love racing for my hometown, it gives you a different kind of rush," quipped the young Cebuana rider. (FREEMAN)