Esquivel, Andino to compete in South Africa

CEBU, Philippines - Cebuano Jundeb Andre Esquivel and Randolf Andino from Mindoro are set to see action in the 12th ABSA Cape Epic--The Untamed African Mountainbike race tomorrow at the Western Cape region of South Africa.

"The event has been around for about 12 years now and looking at the history of participants, no Filipinos have ever joined this race yet. I felt honored and in fact, even more focus to finish this race," said Esquivel.

Esquivel and Andino will try to endure a challenging route starting from the University of Cape Town to the Meerendal Wine estate in Durbaville.  The entire eight stages totals to 739-kilometers including 16 000m of climbing. The race is sanctioned by Union Cycliste Internationale, world's governing body in cycling.

What makes this more challenging is not only about tackling an unfamiliar route, but beating the maximum time allowed in each stage together with one's partner. There is a limited time that each rider can be separated with each other in dealing the course.

The two mountainbikers know each other well as they used to ride together on Jamborees in Malaysia and Indonesia.

"Our Goal is to finish the race safe and with no injuries. Expect that we will give our best shot in every stage of the event. We will take it day by day, we know it's tough and it's brutal sometimes but most importantly, we came here to enjoy the race along side with our idols in mountainbike," added Esquivel.— Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (FREEMAN)