Master ride by Maestro

TABACO, Albay -- Ricky Maestro of Wilcon Builders outsprinted three other cyclists to rule the second lap of the MAD (Mamamayan Ayaw sa Droga) Lakbay Pilipinas Cycling Rally that ended here before enthusiastic crowd led by General Jewel Canson and town officials.

"Nakatikim din ng panalo," said 22-year old Maestro who is in his first major cycling tournament after years of campaigning in every town fiesta races.

Maestro of Sapang Palay, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, made his move in the last 500 meters to beat Reynaldo Navarro of Agfa Colors, Augusto Tomang of Motolite Batteries and Irineo Arciaga of San Miguel Corp.

"Sa huling kurbada nakuha ko na. Medyo umangat na ako ng konti kaya pinaspasan ko na," added Maestro who pocketed P3,000 lap prize.

The four cyclists completed the 127.95-kilometer stage with a similar time of two hours, 24 minutes and 52.58 seconds.

Finishing fifth in the MAD bikathon organized by Nelson Macaraig's Jonel Promotion and supported by Beam Toothpaste, SMC, Motolite, Yakult, Red Bull, Korgivet E, Prime Plus, Wilcon Builders, Smart and Agfa was Simplicio Pinile who failed to sustain his strength in the last 40 kilometers.

Pinile submitted a time of 2:25:38.90 followed by Gregorio Jr. with 2:26:50.41.

Veteran Warlito Aquino came in seventh in the lap with 2:27:03.56 clocking.

Today's third lap will be grueling 215.20-kilometer run from Legaspi City to Daet, Camarines Norte.