Bonzo trips Briton in roller racing duel

MANILA, Philippines – National team rider Mark Bonzo upstaged a stellar field, including Briton Caspar Hughes, to rule the first Rollapaluza Roller Racing event at the Festival Mall recently.

Bonzo, son of former Tour champion Modesto Bonzo, outduelled Hughes, one of the men behind the Rollapaluza, in an exciting finale that had the crowd cheering for the local bet over the Briton, who is among the world’s top 10 in the sport.

Bonzo, 19, clocked 21.71 seconds to set the RP mark in the 500-meter simulated distance race, nipping Hughes, who finished in 22 seconds flat in the race sponsored by David’s Salon and Union Jack Tavern and backed by Festival Mall, Mellow 94.7, Action & Fitness Magazine, Rudy Project, Dan’s Bike Shop, Glaxo SmithKline, Matrix, L’oreal, and Lane & Harper.

Alfie Catalan and Lloyd Reynante finished third and fourth, respectively.

Analiza Dysangco, a duathlon bronze medalist in the 2007 SEA Games, bested former national triathlete, cyclist, and rower Bing Alto to capture the ladies crown.