Obosa spews fire in the rain

VIGAN–Erickson Obosa had his shining moments under heavy rains yesterday, bucking a nasty spill on the Quirino Bridge and outsprinting three rivals at the finish to rule the wet and wild sixth stage of the Golden Tour 50 @ 05 from Lingayen to this historic Ilocos Sur capital city.

Obosa, the second man of the Go21 team, waged a furious solo chase of the lead group entering the last 2km mark and sustained a break-neck speed to the finish, beating Orly Villanueva, Michael Reyes and Michael Ramos for top podium honors in the 206km stage that had the riders extremely challenged by nature and fellow riders.

Coming out the best under severe weather condition, the 26-year-old Manaoag, Pangasinan national rider also emerged as new threat to the title being defended by trade rider Rhyan Tanguilig.

From No. 11 five minutes and 53 seconds behind yellow jersey holder Warren Davadilla, Obosa climbed to No. 8, now only 4’51 off the pace.

As promised, Davadilla employed a defensive riding tactic, keeping his lead of two minutes and 25 seconds over Tanguilig — and perhaps saving his power and energy for the twin Baguio climbs starting with the Vigan-Baguio seventh stage today.

Tanguilig could only flash an impish grin at the end of the race, and later insinuated a fast-growing alliance among the national riders against him.

"Ang hirap, ang dami kong kalaban. Pero okay lang at alam kong it’s part of the race," said Tanguilig.

Incidentally, it was Tanguilig’s same complaint when he was beaten by Arnel Quirimit for the 2003 crown. By the same time last year, it was Davadilla who was hiowling at an "unholy alliance" among Tanguilig and his fellow trade riders.

As part of his strategy yesterday, Tanguilig had the jersey numbers of his chief rivals typewritten on a small paper and pasted on the handle post of his bike.

But obviously, Tanguilig — and also Davadilla for that matter–lost sight of some of them, including stage 4 winner Lito Atilano, who checked in with the chase group and improved by one notch to No. 9, five minutes behind Davadilla.

Atilano, also a national rider, eluded the big guns in the main peleton halfway through the race on the busy highway of Bacnotan, La Union, towing a pocket group including Darwin Marana, Eusebio Quinones, Johnny Dasalla, Alvin Benosa and Baler Ravina.

They enjoyed a lead of nearly four minutes over the main group at one point only to be slowed down by heavy downpour starting in San Esteban town, about 60 kilometers to the finish.

Obosa was among those who caught up with the breakaway group, and the eventual stage winner showed great staying power, leading a four-man dash at the finish to cheers from a sizeable crowd who braved the midday rains.

"Grabe ang ulan at talagang naka-epekto iyon sa amin dahil biglang nanigas ang mga hita namin noong biglang lamig galing sa init," said Obosa, second runner-up behind Eric Feliciano in the Olongapo-Alaminos stage Monday.

Asked whether he’s got what it takes for a good showing in the Baguio climb, he said: "Ewan ko lang. Basta No. 8 ako last year sa Vigan-Baguio at nasa top 20 sa Baguio-Baguio."

He added: "Maka-top 10 lang naman ako sa tour, masaya na ako."

A spill on Quirino Bridge nearly spoiled Obosa’s triumphant ride. He said: "Solo spill ako, semplang ako sa isang malalim doon sa tulay."

Colt 45 rookie Darwin dela Cruz figured in a nastier accident as he bumped into something along Candon and took some five minutes to get up and return to the race.

"Na-groggy doon sa semplang. Ang tagal bago nakabangon," said Sports Radio reporter Snow Badua, who witnessed the freak accident.

As the riders finally face their moment of truth in the climb to Baguio, in the Magic 10 behind Davadilla and Tanguilig are Reynaldo Navarro (2’50 behind), Benosa (2’54), Fernando Alagano (3’16), Eric Feliciano (3’34), Arnel Quirimit (4’06), Obosa, Atilano and Santi Barnachea (5’11).

Barnachea, the first stage winner, was with the main breakaway group a few kilometers to the finish but faded away after suffering a flat tire.