CEBU, Philippines - Cebuano Niño Surban failed to sustain his lead and was outpaced by Indonesian Bandi Sugito for the premier men’s elite division title of the 2014 ASEAN Mountainbike Cup-Series 1 at the treacherous Manlayag-Patag race course in Danao City.
Surban was trapped by Alvin Benosa on the way to the fifth lap and it cost the Cebuano’s hunt for the gold medal.
Benosa and Leopoldo Japitana Jr. led the first four laps of the six-lap race while Surban was fifth at the first lap to third in the next three laps.
From a 1-2-3 position of the three Pinoys after four laps, the 2013 SEA Games gold medalist Sugito was able to overtake one after the other Philippine bet.
Surban tried to chase Sugito, but could not make his move when Benosa had trouble with his bike chain and got into his way.
"Nababag man si (Alvin) Benosa nako nakalayo na ug samot ang Indonesian, so I decided to just take it easy, maintain my speed and tried to enjoy the rest of the race. There was no use anymore to push myself. But at least I got the silver and gave my sponsors and supporters something to be proud of," said Surban who celebrated father's day with his two sons and wife Sandra at the racetrack amidst the punishing heat of the sun.
Sugito finished the 25.2 kilometer race in one hour, 34 minutes and six seconds, a minute and 54 seconds ahead of Surban while Japitana of Team Ariana-Specialized Japitana got the bronze medal.
Meanwhile, Another Indonesian, Oki Raspati of Polygon, Indonesia won the master's B title in 56 minutes and 47 seconds on a 3-lap race.
Raspati overpowered Sea Rider Dive Center's Mark Narvacan with 58:20 while Cannassia Cannondale's Kenneth Pownall of Great Britain wound up third in 1:00:39 clocking.
Oliver Portillano won the master's A title over Groundzero's John Paul Las Pinas who had 54:47 while Jhomilodin Lucman of Multi-Sports Adventure team placed third with 56:03.
The combined master's A and B class also saw Portillano, John Paul Las Pinas and Jhomilodin Lucman declared as top three riders respectively while Indonesian Raspati landed fourth in the event supported by the Province of Cebu headed by Governor Hilario Davide, Vice governor Agnes Magpale, along with Provincial Board Members Jude Sybico, Miguel Magpale, and Ivy Durano-Meca. Shimano, Cube Cycles, Smart, Rudy Project, Endurace, Air 21, ASAP Advertising, Ayala Center Cebu, YKK Trading, Bikeology, Prince Warehouse, The Brick, CycleLogic. Congressman Ace Durano, Danao City Mayor Ramonito D. Durano III, and Vice Mayor Red Durano. (FREEMAN)