Benosa tops MTB cross country elims

MANILA, Philippines - Veteran rider Alvin Benosa bounced back from a failed bid in the track elims last week, topping the mountain bike cross country qualifiers in Tagaytay and clinch a berth in the Asian Games over the weekend.

Benosa seized control early in the dangerous, challenging 44km-route in Bagong Buhay in Tagaytay then repulsed former RP team mainstays Frederick Feliciano, Eusebio Quinones and John Ricafort for one of the slots in the Guangzhou Asiad.

Benosa timed one hour, 13.75 seconds, 20 seconds ahead of SouthEast Asian MTB Cross Country champion Nino Surban.

Meanwhile, tour veteran March McQuinn Aleonar (+55) and former RP rider Quinones (+1:47 secs.) bagged the two slots for the MTB event in the Asiad.