Winners known: Itogon holds ‘cross country mountain bike challenge’

By Ramon Dacawi

While mountaineers look up at Mt. Ugo in Itogon, Benguet as their annual mini-Matterhorn , 46 bikers found the town’s foot trails, rugged roads and river crossings almost equally challenging to negotiate at the inaugural Invitational Cross-Country Challenge last Feb. 16.

“We could have drawn more biking enthusiasts, but some would-be riders were drawn to similar events scheduled at the same time in Kalinga and the Ilocos,” noted race organizer Art Tampoa of Highland Extreme Sport Promotions which initiated the event.

“Cycling is considered one of the best exercises for the body, heart and mind. This (event) also contributes to the promotion as tourism come-ons of the less-traveled mountain foot trails and dirt roads,” he added.

Town officials and sponsors also saw the event as a vehicle to encourage residents to use bicycles instead of motor vehicles in traversing short distance, both as an exercise and to reduce pollution from vehicle exhaust.

Christian Linda of the IMBG Riders of San Fabian, Pangasinan towed the field in one hour, 28 minutes and 48 seconds to top the10-kilometer open category roller-coaster, off-and-on-road route that fired off and ended at the Tuding barangay gym.

Dennis Pelerio of the Nueva Vizcaya-Aritao Bikers Club came in second at 1:28.18 while Ruben Esteves of Urdaneta, Pangasinan settled for third in 1:31.13. Rounding up the top six were Junior Liblinao of La Union-FMC Bikers (1:33.02), NiloEstayo of the Philippine Team-PAF Cycling Club (1:37.21), and Gary Padsing (2:09.57).

Wagner Buting of the Quezon Hill (Baguio) Buakaw clocked one hour, 16 minutes and four seconds for the crown in the six-kilometer 12-to-17 age bracket. Over 11 minutes behind was Coco Cruz, followed by Buakaw riders Matt Urmaza, NollysonSamonte, Renzo Catungal and Clifford Candelario.

The Juniors crown (18-29 yrs.) went to JarwynBanatao of Baguio Lakay/Nitro, trailed by Bogs Mollona of Baguio-Nomads and Jerson Gimmick.

Edison Morales ruled the Master Bracket (30-39), with Sonny Inyon and JasonAbenoja in second and third places.

Raymund de Jesus of the La Trinidad-Nomads beat the field in the Executive Class (40-49), followed by JT Gonzales of Baguio and Melvin Odsey of Baguio-Guisad. Noel Pelicano made it in the 50 & above, tailed by Fermi nNalitom and Ronald Laranang.

The Fun Ride gold medal for guest lady riders went to Analiza Maraan of the Baguio-BGH squad, and the silver to Valerie de Guzman of Baguio-Barangay Gibraltar.

Xez Zulueta of the Baguio Echo-Tourism Promotions served as race director and Arvin Samuel worked as marshal and race coordinator, in tandem with the municipal government led by mayor Oscar Camantiles.

It was made possible through the sponsorship of the likes of 652 Base, lawyer Vic Palangdan, tuding Gaz Station, Denver Domilos, Ace Baniwas, Hilbert Bayacbacao, Zaldy Dompiles, Satol Balbalin, DaxGodio, Gold Rush Enterprise, Rep. Ronald Cosalan, Mar Campos, Arch. Gilbert Sibilius, Junior Carantes, Daniel Bulahyon, Barangay Tuding, Barangay Ucab, BB-PICAG, Benguet Corp., Paintball Republic, John Hay and Engr. Rudy Bulay.