Nueva Ecija riders rule 192-km race
I LOVE PANGASINAN CYCLING CLASSIC
LINGAYEN — Cyclists Rustom Lim of Cuyapo and Nelson Martin, both from Nueva Ecija emerged as the champion and runner-up in the 1st I Love Pangasinan Cycling Classic organized by the provincial government on May 28.
Jay Lampawog of Villasis town was 2nd runner-up in the 192-kilometers race that started in Lingayen and traversed coastal towns of Labrador, Sual, Alaminos City, Bani, Agno, Burgos, Dasol and Infanta.
Lampawog was first to reach all three summits (highest point of a hill or mountain) in Suasalito (Sual), Bani and Mabini.
More than 50 cyclists from Pangasinan and other nearby provinces joined the cycling tournament.
The 4th to 10th placers were Marcelo Felipe (Nueva Ecija), Arjay Peralta (Nueva Ecija), Dominique Perez (Sto. Tomas, Pangasinan), Ronald Oranza (Villasis, Pangasinan), Mark Julius Bonzo (Sual, Pangasinan), Edgar Nieto (Olongapo City), and Bonjoe Martin (Villasis, Pangasinan).
The top three finishers won P20,000, P15,000 and P10,000 in cash prizes respectively and trophies.
Minor cash prizes were awarded 4th to 10th placers, from P7,500 to P1,000.
The 11th to 20th placers received P500 each while all the other racers were given P300 each.
Race Director-General Jess Garcia said the standard rules and regulations by the Union Cycliste International, the international governing organization for cycling events, were adopted for the race.
The classic race called to memory how Pangasinenses ruled the cycling race over the decades.
Rufino Gabot, a native of Manaoag town, gave the province its first cycling title in 1957.
He was followed by Mamerto Eden (1959), Edmundo de Guzman (1961), Gonzalo Recodos (1963), Jesus Garcia (1973), Teodorico Rimarim (1974), Samson Etrata (1975), Modesto Bonzo (1976), Jacinto Sicam (1981-1982), Romeo Bonzo (1983), Ruben Carino (1984), Pepito Calip (1985) and Bernardo Lientada (1990).
Another notable cyclist in the 70s was Cesar Catambay, a native of Mangaldan.
More than 20 cyclists from Pangasinan won the Ronda Pilipinas tour while others made notable impressions in three cycling races—Padyak Pinoy, Tour of Calabarzon and Le Tour Filipinas.
Some of today’s prominent Pangasinan cyclists include Ronald Oranza, Santy Barnachea, El Joshua Carino, Irish Valenzuela, Cris Joven, Ronald Gorantes, Mark John Lexer Galedo, Joel Calderon, Tomas Martinez and George Oconer.
On hand to award the prizes were Pangasinan Sports Development and Management Council Executive Director Modesto Operania and Marife Acerit of the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO). (PIO/RRB)
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