Surban dominates opening stage of 6th Tour ni Frank cycling

Cebuano Niño Surban gave himself an advance birthday present by ruling the opening stage of the 6th Tour ni Frank, an 80-kilometer ride from Danao City to Lugo, Sogod and back yesterday.

Surban, who will turn 21 years old by the end of the month, patiently waited for the right timing to break away from the strong field of opposition that includes Tour Pilipinas veterans Lloyd Lucien Reynante and John Ricafort under class A.

The competitors had to deal with scattered rain showers at the early goings of the race.

Slippery roads and blurry vision, however, did not dampen the spirits of the pedal-pushers from putting up a highly competitive battle.

The pacing was fast until the turning point in Lugo when 10 riders bannered by Surban went ahead of the pack.

Reynante attempted to stage a breakaway in Barangay Macaas, Catmon, but was hurriedly caught up by the group.

Since then, the riders were closely guarding each other until the final 100 meters of the race where the lanky RP mountainbiker Surban poured all his energy left and went for a sprint finish.

Surban succeeded in outsmarting Reynante to the delight of his wife Sandra and son Nine, who followed him during the entire race.

However, it’s not yet time for Surban to celebrate as two more stages will still be contested today, one in Buak to be followed by the final stage at the Mandaue City reclamation in the afternoon.

Reynante placed second in Stage 1 followed by Jaybop Pagnanawon, Robert Villaver, and Randy Carbonera.

In class B, local riders John Paul Baco and Ginon Basirgo prevented defending  champion Ernie Hortaleza from coming up with a good start by posting a 1-2 finish.

Hortaleza came out third, while another Manila-based rider Ruel Gendrano settled fourth and Jonvi Pagnanawon fifth.

Lapu-Lapu’s Loloy Berdin grabbed the top post in class C. The second to fifth finishers were Boy Tiples, Ted Pascual, Ranel Mier and Rudy Mendoza.

The event, spearheaded by the US-based Luzvimin Cycling Club led by Frank Gatdula in cooperation with the Reclamation Cycling Club (RECYCLE) of Mark Ylanan, is supported by Danao City, municipalities of Carmen and Catmon, Rocka – the no.1 bikeshop in Bulacan, Department of Tourism, Parklane Hotel and Pinoybikes.com.—Caecent No-ot Magsumbol