Ica Maximo is Cebu’s saving grace in Monterrazas bikefest

CEBU, Philippines – She may be the youngest rider in the field, but she proved to be the toughest one to beat. Fifteen-year-old Ana Patricia 'Ica" Maximo became the saving grace of Cebu's hometown bets after she toped the women's elite category, even as national team rider Ronald Lomotos reigned supreme in the men's side in the road race of the 1st Monterrazas Bike Challenge yesterday at the pisturesque Monterrazas de Cebu in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.

After placing second in the mountainbike event the other day, Maximo was bridesmaid no more as she bounced back with finesse to rule the one-lap racer event set at 5.2 kilometers.

Maximo, the current road cycling national champion who is sponsored by ykkbikes.com, actually figured in a close battle with Aaliyah Ricci Mataragnon in the early goings, but was able to put up a good lead when she approached the downhill portion of the route.

Maximo, a gold medallist in the Philippine Youth Games-Batang Pinoy Finals last January in Bacolod City, sustained her momentum on the way to cross the finish line first with the time of 17 minutes and 11.62 seconds. Mataragnon clocked in 18:48.92.

On the other hand, Lomotos, competing under the banner of Team LBC MVP Sports Foundation Cycling, prevented his teammate Rustom Lim from winning back-to-back titles.

Lomotos took the lead from the first up to third and last lap to snatch the premiere elite crown, while Lim settled for second place followed by Kit Carbonita. Warren Vinan once again outsmarted fellow Cebuano John Renee Mier to get the fourth spot.

Carbonita though still has something to be happy about as he grabbed the juniors crown after edging out Arnold Alcunesa and Rhyle Weapon, who settled for second and third, respectively.

In the seniors division, brothers Junvie and Jbop Pagnanawon came up with a 1-3 finish, sandwiching second placer Randy Carbonera.

Orville Tecson timed 29:13.32 to top the executive category. Michael Flores came out a close second with the time of 29:39.38, while Gregorio Gadiano took the third spot in 29:37.13.

Nilo Barbalose nailed back-to-back victories in the masters division. After ruling the mountainbike challenge, he topped the racer event with the time of 10:25.69 followed by Jonas Ponseca (10:49.54) and Dadong Carcueva (11:06.54).

The veterans class saw Rolly Cabaluna on top on the heap with the time of 10:15.38. Ramonito Espinosa was a distant second in 10:20.16 as Allan Sanchez landed at third with a 10:53.87 clocking. (FREEMAN)