Pangasinan cyclists show strength again

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

I WAS not able to accompany our Pangasinan pedal-pushers when they traveled to the southern part of Luzon and participated in two big races in Calatagan, Batangas and Tagaytay City last Sunday and Tuesday, respectively.

Happily, our local riders proved once again to the Filipino people that they are premier in this two-wheeled sport by ruling the two separate events, the Tour de Calatagan and the Tagaytay City Challenge.

Reports said it was a one-two-four finish by Jazy Garcia’s Pitaki Boyz squad representing Pangasinan in the Calatagan race with former RP member Reynaldo Navarro ruling the 120-kilometer roller-coaster trek and pocketing the P10,000 top prize.

My townmate, Mangaldan’s promising athlete Ariel Flores, came in second and earned P8,000 while San Fabian lanky road player Sherwin Carrera checked in fourth, good for P5,000.

Umingan son Emil Pablo landed 10th worth P1,000.

The impressive finish of these four Pangasinenses gave them the top team prize worth P12,000 and also a huge trophy.

Aside from these accolades, Navarro also captured the “mountain king” plum and Carrera topped the “sprint king” honor and both received an additional P2,000

Dominado nila ang karera!

It will be recalled that Navarro also ruled the 2nd RD Gen. Bataoil Cycling Challenge last February 2 that started and finished in Binmaley.

My big congratulations to them. They brought another prestige to Pangasinan.

Kudos also to Asingan son Baler Ravina who won the taxing 190-kilometer mountainous race in Tagaytay last Tuesday.

His effort was worth P15,000.

Ravina, a protege of DPWH Region 1 Director Engr. Fidel D. Ginez, was the first runner-up in last year’s “Padyak Pinoy Tour”, losing a mere 29 seconds to victor Victor Espiritu of Malabon City.

San Manuel’s ace Edgardo Bolleser landed fourth and Sherwin Carrera placed fifth while Ariel Flores finished ninth.

There was no team competition, and if there was, I’m sure the Pangasinenses would have triumphed again because of the quartet’s good showing.

I wish them luck in their next big races, especially in the annual 180-kilometer Mangaldan event called Werweran ed Mangaldan, a pro-am road battle to be staged on March 2.

Two-time and defending champion is Victor Espiritu.

Carry on the good work, guys. We are proud of you.    

Mabuhay ang Pangasinan.

(Readers may reach columnist at biking.jess@yahoo.com. For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/sports-eye/
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