MANILA, Philippines - Aboitiz Power cyclist Ronnie Nacario lived up to his lofty billing by winning the individual title while Fitness First emerged as the best team as the three-day Aboitiz Power Tour of Subic ended yesterday at the Subic Bay Freeport.
The 27-year-old Nacario, who ruled the one-day Bike King Cycling Classic last February raced also at the former US Naval Base, conquered the punishing 80-kilometer road race last Saturday before winding up his solid performance with a third place finish in yesterday’s 42-kilometer criterium race to emerge king in the Category 3 of the race organized by Bike King headed by Raul Cuevas in cooperation with Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).
“This is my first time to compete in the triathlon, it feels great to win,” said Nacario who clocked four hours, 19 minutes, 52 seconds, for the overall individual title in Category 3. Finishing second and third were Jon Urrutia of Fitness First (4:21:28) and Leian Cruz of Vondutch (4:22:22).
Nacario broke off from a 10-man lead pack that included Urrutia and Cruz upon reaching the uphill climb at the Morong Gate leading to a solo-finish. He negotiated the race in 2:35:22 and was two minutes, 14 seconds ahead of his rivals.