Four races and the Pitaki road players

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

“SUMMER time is cycling time,” as the saying goes. And despite the heat and high humidity that we are encountering during these days, still a lot of people from all walks of life manage to ride their bikes to the mountains of Baguio City, the beautiful beaches of San Fernando City, La Union and Alaminos City, Pangasinan.

Last month, there were three cycling races conducted in the province. I would say these three are good tune-up races for the coming 2007 Tour Pilipinas slated on May 17-27.

Luckily and unexpectedly, and believe it or not, these three events were won by three Mangaldan road players, both members of the country’s well-known and dreaded cycling squad called the “Pitaki Boyz.”

First to be held last month was the annual Bayambang town fiesta bike meet on April 10 and dubbed this year as the “Kabarkada Tour de Tercero Distrito,” a sports pet project of Mayor Leocadio “Boy” de Vera and sponsored by his friends led by well-known philanthropist Engr. Rosendo So.

Youthful Ariel Flores, 22, of barangay Guesang successfully defended his title which he won last year, outclassing 52 other amateur riders from Pangasinan and neighboring provinces to bag the top prize of P6,000 plus a trophy.

The star-studded professional-amateur 14th Engr. Fidel D. Ginez Cycling Classic was staged on April 22. The 154-kilometer event was solely sponsored by Region 1 DPWH Director Fidel Ginez and was held in conjunction with the celebration of Asingan town fiesta. The annual race was won by Flores barangay mate and former Philippine national team member Renato Sembrano. The 2005 Tour Pilipinas Rookie of the Year, Sembrano, 28, pocketed the P10,000 top prize and a trophy.

The third Mangaldanon to win the race last month was Adrian Malanum, ruling the 187-kilometer Dagupan City Bangus Festival Cycling Challenge held on April 26 that traversed not just Dagupan but also the towns within the fourth district of Pangasinan.

Malanum, 26, netted the P12,000 top prize and also a trophy.

After five years of slumber, the popular Pista’y Dayat Cycling Classic was revived last May 1 that started in my town Mangaldan and ended at Alaminos City.

The 170-kilometer flat and winding trek was sponsored by friends of senatorial candidate Prospero “Butch” Pichay and won by Manaoag ace and ex-RP national team member Ericson Obosa.

Like Flores, Sembrano and Malanum, Obosa, 28, is a pioneer member and one of the stalwarts of the Pitaki Boyz team sponsored by the Guam-based Jazy Sportswear.

The race last Thursday was the 139th under my directorship starting on March 14, 1974.

Of the total 84 participants in the coming Tour Pilipinas this year, 24 of them are from Pangasinan.

Let’s pray for their victories. Their triumphs are also ours. And remember, our province is the cradle of Philippine cycling like what the national scribes always say.

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/sports-eye/)

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