Estayo tops 2nd leg of Manila Criterium Grand Prix

MANILA, Philippines - Veteran Nilo Estayo surprised the fancied bets to rule the Elite Open division in the second leg of the Roadbike Phils.-711 2009 Manila Criterium Grand Prix along Roxas Boulevard over the weekend.

Ranged against another star-studded field, the former national rider and pride of Pozurrobio, Pangasinan made up for lost ground with a torrid run in the last two laps to nip Ronnel Hualda and Lito Atilano, who finished second and third, respectively, and pocket the top prize of P7,000.Oishi and Columbia sportswear.

The former Padyak Pinoy sprint king added it was no mean feat considering that the established riders like Victor Espiritu and Arnel Quirimit were ahead with seven other riders in the lead pack in the contest also supported by Suunto watches, Franzia wine, Spyder headgear, Gatorade and Summit Mineral Water.

Sharing the spotlight in leg dubbed the Johnson Ang Memorial Race was sportsman-businessman Alex Billan, who was inspired to top both the Filipino-Chinese and 36 to 45-year-old divisions in the bikefest named in honor of his late father.

A surprise runner-up in the Fil-Chi category was Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers’ Association president Arnel Ty, who gave Billan a run for his money until the last 100 meters to the finish line.