Obosa tops Espino bikefest
SPRINT specialist Ericson Obosa from Manaoag faded back in the early part of the race, but gradually regained his composure after the halfway mark and subsequently overtook the leaders at the homestretch with much to spare upon reaching first the finish line during the Gov. Amado T. Espino Cup Pista’y Dayat Cycling Challenge.
Obosa edged Arnel Quirimit on the final sprint, to bag the P25,000 top prize.
The 2003 Tour Pilipinas champion Quirimit, who suffered foot cramps 35 kilometers before the finish, rode in tandem with Obosa and Mangaldan stalwart Renato Sembrano for most of the time at the homestretch.
But the 30-year old Obosa got the better rhythm in the end and the three identically clocked the 205 kilometers flat and winding trek in five hours, 21 minutes and 23 seconds with Quirimit pocketing the P15,000 second prize and Sembrano collecting P10,000 for landing third.
Forty eight accredited riders, mostly professionals, were flagged off by Espino at the capitol beachfront in Lingayen, traversing the coastal towns of western Pangasinan up to Infanta.
Most of the participants started to swell off at the outskirt of Sual and the province’s best were able to sustain the killing pace through scorching heat.
Binalonan rider Merculio, Ramos, Jr. came fourth worth P7,500 and Irish Valenzuela of Mapandan finished fifth netting P5,000.
Rounding up the top ten were: Mark Julius Bonzo of Sual, Joseph Millanes of Dagupan City, Armel de Jesus of Mangaldan, Emil Pablo of Umingan and Nilo Estayo of Pozorrubio. The sixth to tenth placers received P3,000, P2,000, P1,500, P1,000 and P750, respectively. The fourth to tenth riders were given a medal apiece.
The wheel-by-wheel account from start to finish was aired live over Aksyon Radyo Pangasian 1161 Khz AM.–JAGJr.
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