Criterium racers wheel no fortune

The Philippines missed a medal in yesterday’s men’s criterium at the Luneta to wrap up its cycling campaign in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games with two gold, four silver and three bronze medals.

Indonesia’s Samai, a natural trackster, was practicallty the runawayg winner in the 12th and last event of cycling, amassing 22 points to beat by four Manan Anuar of Malaysia (18 points).

Youthakorn Hinthao of Thailand copped bronze with 15 points in the 64-km, 50-lap criterium that started and ended on Roxas Boulevard fronting the Rizal Monument.

Ericson Obosa was the best-placed Filipino at fourth but was five points off Hinthao. Enrique Domingo, the country’s top sprinter, was eighth with six points, and Warren Davadilla, frustrated in the ITT and massed start in Tagaytay City, earned three points for 11th place in the field of 21 riders.

The Philippines copped two gold, four silver and three bronze medals, way off the target of a minimum of six gold medals.

Making it to the best three spots three times, Obosa’s points came from his decent finish in the third sprint lap and third place in the sixth and final laps.

"They did everything they can," said RP road cycling coach Jerry Amar.

Twenty-one cyclists from seven participating countries — Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and host Philippines — vied for the gold. — With report from Jose Teodoro Mendoza