Obosa outclasses Rindole, Guanzon in 7-Eleven Tour

MANILA, Philippines - Former national team standout Ericson Obosa beat V-Mobile’s Oscar Rindole and Nicanor Guanzon in a scrambling finish to rule the 100km pro division of the 7-Eleven Tour 700 that started and finished inside the Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles City, Pampanga last weekend.

All three riders broke away from the seven-man lead pack in the last 10kms before the Roadbike Phils. mainstay and pride of Manaoag, Pangasinan unleashed his sprinting skills to win the race in two hours, 16 minutes flat.

Rindole finished second in 2:16.02 while Guanzon wound up third in 2:16.04 in the bike-for-a-cause organized by Philippine Seven Corp. that drew a big field of 3,700 riders, more than double the 1,500 cyclists who took part in the 7-11 Tour 500 in 2010.

“Macmac (Galedo) and Baler (Ravina) provided a big help in my victory,” said Obosa of his teammates after pocketing the top pot of P25,000 in the event held in cooperation with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Tollways Management Corporation, SCTEX, Clark Freeport Philippines, Solar TV and Talk TV.

Galedo, a double Southeast Asian Games silver medalist, and newly crowned Le Tour Pilipinas champ Ravina had opted to stay behind and protect Obosa, who was part of the seven-man group that broke away at the U-turn, 50-km. mark inside the SCTEX in Dinalupihan, Bataan.

“I would like to thank everyone for participating in this cycling benefit and for my company for allowing me to indulge in my passion,” said Philippine Seven Corp. CEO-president Jose Victor Paterno, who himself was among those who finished the 100km race.

The top three non-pro winners in the 40km mountain bike and 100km road races will get to donate three patrol bikes equipped with first-aid kits to their chosen barangays, he said.

BCDA president Arnel Casanova, who took part in a cycling race for the first time, lauded organizers for staging the event at the Clark Freeport Zone and SCTEX.

“This is a big boost for the Clark Freeport Zone in our aim to make it a center of human activity in Central Luzon,” Casanova said. “We are privileged to be part of the 7-Eleven Tour 700 and look forward to do this more often.”

The one-day bikefest had a festive atmosphere with 7-Eleven’s loyal supplier-partners Selecta, Del Monte Fit ‘N Right, Gatorade, Powerade and Pocari Sweat providing the drinks and treats to the riders, who were also given “Hotta Rice” meals after they finished their respective races.