Jaypop rules 1st day of Padyak Pinoy

CEBU, Philippines - Jaypop Pagnanawon dreams of becoming the next Cebuano cycling champion.

He seems to be on his way to realize the dream after topping the first race of the two-day Padyak Pinoy Visayas-Mindanao qualifying event from Cebu City to Boljoon yesterday.

Jaypop, son of Rolando Pagnanawon, clocked 2:09:6.76 seconds to dominate the 103-kilometer race.

Albert Basirgo came in second with 2:09:16.76 while Earl Cadampog settled for third with 2:09:26.76 clocking.

Jovanni Delica and Antonio Nebria, two former top local cyclists showed newcomers some road savvy by snatching fourth and fifth spots, respectively. The veterans had the same clocking as Cadampog.

Niño Surban, the top qualifier in the 2007 staging of Padyak Pinoy, was in town but didn’t participate in the race. Surban is fresh for his winning stints in Singapore and Malaysia.

Pagnanawon is bracing for more challenges as the race goes for an Individual Time Trial (ITT) from Boljoon to Oslob and back today.

The riders take off two minutes apart and the cyclist that logs the fastest time wins the race.

Winners in the Visayas-Mindanao qualifying race will compete with riders from other parts of the country in the Padyak Pinoy finals during the summer. The races will be all over Luzon. — Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (THE FREEMAN)