2007.4.2

I'd like to congratulate Dodong "Gamay" Frasco and dutiful son Aljew for hosting the very successful "Titay's Centennial Road Race" last Sunday. Everybody had a blast!!!

The road race, MTB race and 8 other events, plus a medical mission was the highlight of the 100 years since Titay, Dodong's Aunt, started the pastry shop back in 1907. I can't imagine what Liloan looked like a hundred years ago but I'm sure it doesn't look like the progressive town that it is today.

The usual suspects were there- Atty. Jong Sepulveda was showing off his new beauty, a restored 80's COLNAGO spec'd with a period CAMPAGNOLO componentry. Noel Ting also unveiled his PROJECT 1, an ARGON frameset spec'd this time with the newest Campy RECORD. Toshio Nagashima, a Japanese national who is more Cebuano than you will ever imagine, and one of Nino Surban's (more of this kid later) sponsors, was also present. Architect Miguel Flores, VELLUM's president, also lent his support even if he was lacking form after spending the past few days in Taiwan attending the Taipei Bike Show. Also present where Sai Salazar, Mindanao guest Rhys Bonpin, the Chian Brothers, Larry and Stephen, Tony Codina, Edward Tan-Ting, Drs. Jonathan Simbajon and John Gayatin (1st and 5th respectively in CAT C), Osias Camilo and Boboy Mante of PLDT.

A huge congratulations is also order for Noy Jopson for besting veterans Boy Pagnanawon and Rex Gonzalez in the B category. Juvani Delica, the 2-time tour veteran who bypassed the tour eliminations for reasons only known to him, won the sprint for first over Marjun Villarosa.

Mark Ylanan and RECYCLE did a great job in the road race while Andot Sabal also did the same thing in the MTB event which ended up late in the afternoon. I'd also like to mention the 90 riders who joined in the road race but I'm afraid my editor will forward this attachment to the Recycle Bin for good! Anyway, you know who you are so thanks for making the event a success.

Finally, I hope that the Frasco family will make this an annual event. It's too good to miss!

Tour Trials

Despite a flat, ex-RP team MTBr Nino Surban proved his worth when he bested 30 other riders in the Individual Time Trial, relegating noted roadies Robert Villaver, Jaybop Pagnanawon, Nilo Barbalose and the best the Visayas and Mindanao could offer in the final event of the trials. Most of our roadies don't understand the nuances and beauty of the TT so it was a surprise that Nino, a MTBr at heart, would beat them in their own game.

I used to race in the same category with the 15yo Nino when he started out racing and I remember one particular race to Taptap. I was one of the first riders to get dropped early in the race but I gamely continued. Suddenly, I passed Nino at the foot of the steepest part to Taptap, sitting on the road barrier, wasted all over. I shouted a few words of encouragement and thought "here's another casualty in the sport". How wrong I was! Congratulations also to Isyot Bohol, a CebuCycling supported guy for cracking the top 16.

But until the organizers of PP, DOS1, can sort out the sponsorship blues of the race, the celebrations should be tempered with caution. PP has been postponed after the elections as requested by COMELEC. In case the Benjamin Abalos don't know it, these athletes ride on their bikes, not armored personnel carriers! The past Tours has been scheduled right before the elections so this raison d'etre is somewhat fishy. But I hope DOS1 can iron out this problem in the next few days.