Mountain biker, Swiss multisports veteran top 2nd Aboitiz Power Tour

MANILA, Philippines - Racing on a borrowed bike was hardly a factor for 22-year old Jason Banate in his drive for excellence as he joined Swiss lady guest rider Nora Senn in ruling the grueling 90-kilometer road yesterday en route to being named overall male and female champions in the two-day second Aboitiz Power Tour of Subic held at the Subic Bay Freeport.

Competing in the category 3, Banate, who is a tricycle driver by profession but is a feared mountain bike rider in Balayan, Batangas, zoomed away using the challenging 10-kilometer uphill climb located at Barangay Mabayo in Morong leading to a solo finish.

“Mountain biker ako at nananalo ako sa mga local races sa Batangas pero bihira ako sumali sa road race. Nanghiram pa ako ng bisikleta at hindi pa nagagamayan ito. Pero alam kong kaya kong mauna sa akyatan at ito nga ang nangyari,” said Banate, a father of two kids and represented the Arts, Business and Science Professionals (ABS) Partylist in this bikefest organized by Bike King in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SMBA) Tourism Department and presented by Aboitiz Power.

Banate negotiated the race in two hours, 27 minutes, 28 seconds and was three minutes, 28 seconds ahead of Ricky Calla of Team Von Dutch (2:30:56). At third was Robert delos Reyes of VG & E Trading with 2:30:56 clocking.

The victory atoned for his 40th place in the criterium race held Saturday. He was among the 66 cyclists who crossed the finish line first with identical time of 55:14 but settled for the lowly place as he needed to slow down to avoid risking himself to injury.

 “Naputulan ng rayos yung nauuna sa akin at dahil dikit-dikit kaming dumarating, minabuti ko na na huwag ng rumameta baka madisgrasya pa,” explained Banate.

The 34-year old Senn, an accomplished triathlete, trail runner and ultra-marathoner, was totally way ahead of her rivals as she bagged two gold medals in three races she competed in.

Senn negotiated the road race in 2:49:31 after an equally fast 48:19 performance in the criterium event.

She also help Franzia Ladies to a third place finish in the team time trial held Saturday morning to complete a splendid performance in this event also sponsored by Unilab Active Health, Pocari Sweat, TIMEX, 3rd District of Bohol, Crystal Clear Water, Subic Holiday Villas, Orbea Corima and Bike King.

Banking on the efforts of Calla, Team Von Dutch took the men’s team title with a total time of 4:20:49. In second was Franzia with 4:24:29 while Zamba Cycling took third with 4:26:09.

BGC Multisport bannered by Monica Torres, Kim Mangrobang ang LC Langit, ruled the female team division with 1:03:13. PLDT High Speed came in second (1:07:45) and Franzia Ladies wound up third (1:08:50).

Neil Confesor of Franzia and Dejan Glavnik completed the list of winners having bagged the gold medals in the category four road and criterium races.

Specially crafted trophies and medals were awarded to the winners during the awarding ceremony.