Japanese riders rule BMX bikefest

MANILA, Philippines - Shintaro Misawa made it an all-Japan show in the finals of last Sunday’s international division of the 2009 Flatland 2K9 BMX bike competition at  the Venetian Mall Park inside Fort Bonifacio.

The 34-year-old Uno came up with a nearflawless display of riding skills in the finals against his compatriot to emerge champion in the inaugural international division of the meet .

“ This is a difficult venue, it is slippery and bumpy but I love to race here, Filipinos are

hungry for competition and I believe they will do well abroad,” said Uno.

Best local rider in the two-day competition sponsored by Mega World, Columbia, Tribu, Pulp Magazine and Business Mirror, was La Union native Coco de la Cruz who made it to the final 4 but lost to Misawa in the semifinals and to Malaysian Hezlan Ghafar in a battle for third place.

In the national division of the flatland competition, Mig Reyes beat Neil Quiogue and

Sharmy Grimaldo to take the crown won last year by Renz Vence who has moved up to the international division.