Asian MTB Championships revs off in Davao

CEBU, Philippines — Over 200 junior and elite riders from 14 countries will try to outdo each other as the 24th Asian Mountain Bike Championships and the 10th Junior Asian Mountain Bike Championships kick off today mainly at Barangay Manlayag Patag in Danao City.

Leading the top contenders are pedal-pushers from China, Japan, South Korea and Thailand.

Host Philippines will be fielding in 19 elite riders including the country's top female mountain biker Ariana Dormitorio and the lone Cebuano bet Nino Surban.

Out to give them a run for their money are entries from Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Hongkong, India, Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

The elite and junior participants will have a separate competition this weekend. The race feature a cross country and downhill event for both individual men's and women's division. There's also a team relay competition.

Sanctioned by the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (PhilCycling) and officiated by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) international and national commissaries, the two-day joust is being held in partnership with the provincial government of Cebu, 5th District Rep. Red Durano, and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).