Estayo books cycling berth in Guangzhou

MANILA, Philippines - Track specialist Nilo Estayo shook off rust to rule the one-kilometer Individual Pursuit and lead the qualifiers to the RP Asian Games cycling team yesterday in the Koten Unification Races National Qualifying at the Amoranto Velodrome in Quezon City.

Despite a two-year hiatus from the veldorome racing, Estayo submitted the best time of 1:14.82 to earn a ticket to the Asiad in Guangzhou, China along with runners-up Ronald Gorrantes (1:16.17) and George Oconer (1:16.31).

The 35-year-old Estayo said he could have done better, had it not for lack of regular training at the Velodrome as an offshoot of the leadership dispute in the cycling federation.

“The Amoranto Velodrome is our only track oval in the Philippines but we can’t actually train here because of politics in cycling. I hope our leaders will unite now so that our training won’t be disrupted,” said Estayo, who also lamented the poor condition of the track.

Gorrantes netted another Asiad slot when he topped the four-kilometer Individual Time Trial (ITT) at the expense of tour favorite Lloyd Lucien Reynante. Gorrantes clocked 5:19.10, beating Reynante by a mere second, to spearhead the Men’s Team Pursuit crew together with Reynante and the third and fourth placers, Mark Julius Bonzo and John Mier.

In the women’s side, Australian trainer rider April Effynger stamped her class in the 500-meter ITT with a time of 40.06 seconds. Settling to runner-up honors were national rider Maritess Bitbit (41.31) and former triathlete Annalisa Dysangco (44.31).

The unification races are being held to select the members of the RP team to Guangzhou, featuring riders affiliated with the two groups contesting the cycling leadership.