CEBU, Philippines - Under a perfect weather and coupled with the advent of cycling's latest technology on aerodynamics, Cebu Cycling's 16-kilometer time trial course record was finally broken last Sunday.
Released as the 50th rider out of 70 racers, Jeoffrey Flores of Leo CRT, pedalling his bike to an average speed of 41.69kph, had the ride of his life when he broke the existing course record by four seconds, setting a new mark of 23:03 minutes in the 16km race route of the Flores Team Time Trial cycling race hosted by the municipality of Catmon, Cebu.
The previous record of 23:07 minutes was established by former Tour champion Rolando "Boy" Pagnanawon of Talisay City.
With that record-breaking performance, Jeoffrey grabbed the overall title as well as the Category B title, outclassing second placer Rap Sios-e of Team Laspag, who finished in 23:16 and third placer Boy Pagnanawon of Bont TT, who completed the race in 24:08. Completing the top five finishers were Archt. Miguel "BigMig" Flores of Cebu Cycling 1 (24:13) and Bryan Lawas of Team Laspag (24:36).
Rex Tan of Leo CRT dominated Category C with the best time 24:08, followed by silver medallist Teodoreko Tumolak (24:45). Raymond Lim of Bont TT (25:03) edged out George Kinataran of DX Team (25:06) in three seconds for the bronze medal. Joseph Tio of Team Padyak (26:13) completed the top five list.
2013 Philippine National Games (PNG) double-silver medallist and the youngest cyclist in the field, 14-year old Ana Patricia "Icamax" Maximo of Chigo and supported by YKKBikes.com, came out the champion in Category D with a time of 30:15 followed by Italian junior cyclist Christian Buttazzo in 40:59.
In the team competiton, favorite Leo CRT lost the title to Bont TT by a mere seven seconds, 1:39:19 hours to Bont's 1:39:12. Dr. John Gayatin, the heart and soul of Leo CRT, was unable to contribute to the team's effort as he flatted early in the race.
The cycling race, organized by Miguel Flores of Cebu Cycling, presented by Robert Clarke with technical management by Mark Ylanan of ReCycle, is supported by Cebu MultiSport. Proceeds of the event will be donated to the pediatric ward of Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center. (FREEMAN)