Day 1 Criterium Mandaue Reclamation Area
I had high hopes of getting a good result last Saturday but in the last 500 meters of the 34km race, I ran out of steam. I could point out one or two reasons for my disappointing result but in the end, the reason was simple, that there were better guys than me that day.
And there was no one better that day than Dondie Azarcon, the team captain of team PLDT, an executive team that races mostly in Manila. Even though I only met Dondie four years ago during the Terry Larrazabal Bike Festival in Ormoc, I felt I knew him more than that since we came from the same place (Tagbilaran), both our fathers worked at the same place and he was my Dad’s godson!
“Millionaire” Dondie, as he is fondly called by his friends in Manila, is an electronic engineer who works for all the major telecommunications company in the country. He almost died two years ago after he was involved in a high speed crash in Bulacan but was lucky to survive.
I didn’t even realize that Dondie won, I thought it was some other guy from some other team who blitzed us all! In fact, Team PLDT had a double victory in the crit as Bert Daa won the Cat B race. Congratulations again to Dondie and teammate (Cat B) Bitoy Daa for a job well done!!!
Super Frank
Frank was the ultimate multi-tasker. He was the organizer, the emcee, the play-by-play commentator, a racer, a sponsor – he was everywhere! I don’t know where he got the energy to do all the stuff. Of course, he was supported 100% by his one and only, Salome, who was also present during the race.
Speaking of Salome, I’d also like to state here my appreciation for all the cycling wives, girlfriends, partners, etc, for showing their support on their respected spouses. We all know that we could not do this without your support.
Transponders
The transponders were wonderful! The Cat C bunch sprint was “sooo” close but everybody was happy with the electronic timing chip provided to the TnF for free by Manila businessman Ernie Hortaleza. Even though there was a bit of a delay, it was still 10 thumbs up for the transponders!
Finally, it was a pleasant surprise to see Dr. Wency Rich, an anesthesiologist and a friend from Maasin, join the TnF. Welcome, doc……Rhys Bonpin, a strong executive rider from Surigao City, failed to join the event after his flight was cancelled due to bad weather……A big thanks to Brett Harrington, our very good friend from Melbourne, for the suitcases of cycling goodies he collected from his club Down Under!!!...... Atty Jong Sepulveda surprised everybody in the crit when he made an audacious attack with about a kilometer to go. Even though he could not finish the job, everybody was rooting for him to do so……Also seen was Larry Stahlman and lovely wife Patricia…….Hello to The Freeman’s prettiest reporter, Caecent No-ot, who covered the event! It’s been a long time since I saw her......
(To be continued…)