Surban and Sanchez share honors in DURAbend mtbike

By Caecent No-ot-Magsumbol Cross-country specialist Nino Surban scored a walk in the park to capture the DURAbend Cycling Showdown even as motocross rider-turned downhiller Donkey Sanchez won the expert downhill battle at Willie's Place in Busay.

The 19-year old Surban of the Danao City Sports Commission won the senior open title in 22 minutes and 49.73 seconds, about two minutes ahead of closest pursuer, Albert Basirgo, who ended second in 21:35.83 as Randy Carbonera settled third in 25:31.47.

In the junior division, the Diez siblings had a 1-2 finish with Joseph (21:23.95) giving some lessons to his 14 year-old brother Julius (21:35.83) as Eusebio Ravanes wound up third in 22:13.02.

Noel Famor, for his part, won the veterans class against Jun Endrina while Christopher Paz ended third.

In the master's division, the top three winners were Antonio Eguinto, Perlito Colegado and Benito Javier while Nino Gica was unopposed in the fatboys class.

Romy Sanchez came out the fastest among the golden boys as Rogelio Basirgo duplicated his son Albert's placing at second and Samuel Villaflor ended third.

Another Basirgo, Gino, the younger brother of Albert, was also second to Jun-Jun Canasa in the beginner's class as Alvin Palaza ended third.

In the executive class, it was Ramon Espinosa on topped while Jonel Tibay returns to the mountainbike scene with a second place finish, beating the riding doctor Jonathan Simbajon.

In the downhill competition, brothers Paul Kevin and PJ Yu had a 1-2 finish, but in separate classes.

A day after receiving an award in motocross, Donkey Sanchez outpedalled PJ Yu for the top spot of the 500-m race.

Sanchez grabbed the top post in 55.06 seconds, thanks to an impressive negotiation of a short drop down the course to win the title.

Yu wound up second in 56.20, just three milliseconds ahead of top sportsclimber-turned downhiller, Jun Vidal, who settled third in 56.23.

Surban also tried his luck in downhill using his cross-country bike and wound up fourth with 59.66 as Elwin "Bawing" Bucariza came out fifth in 59.95.

Paul Kevin, on the other hand, dominated the beginners class in 56.38.

Hanzel Bacalso was a distant second in 1:02.60 and Galvin Galan was on third place in 1:03.63.

The event is organized by Big Al Production.