Surban tops criterium race of 'Tour ni Frank' cycling

CEBU, Philippines - Niño Surban showed he is far from rusting out as he dominated the criterium event of the 2011 Tour ni Frank at the Mandaue City reclamation area yesterday.

Surban was up to the challenge of beating a Japanese pro rider Kenji Takeya, but the latter melted under the heat of the sun.

“It was snowing in Japan when he left, so pag-abot pa lang niya, nireklamo na sa kainit.Wa kaagwanta although he was with the group (of Niño) during the race,” said Cebu Cycling’s Miguel Flores.

Surban finished first after 40 minutes of non-stop action plus five laps with 2.3 kilometers per lap that gained him the overall leadership going into the 60km road race from Toledo City to Balamban via Transcentral Highway today.

Elmer Navarro is back on track, trailing Surban in class A, while former Tour Pilipinas champion Rolando Pagnanawon’s sons Jybop and Jhunvie wound up third and fourth as Nilo Barbalose came out fifth.

In class B, Ramon Espinosa clinched the top spot after edging out the unpredictable Jerome Rodriguez. Lyndon Caraquel placed third while the next two seats were occupied by Danny Sena and Art Lambo.

Tata Ty topped the equally-exciting class C action over Lito Quebec while Tata Codina, Nonoy Abasola and Ronnie Adlawan placed third to fifth.

The 15-year-old Luis Miguel "Igi" Maximo, the youngest participant, failed to barge into the top five, but managed to survive the blistering pace and stayed with the chasing group towards the finish.

The new carbon wheelset provided by YKK Trading helped Igimax a lot in keeping pace with his senior counterparts in the race. The pride of PAREF-Springdale is expected to even give a better performance in today's second and final stage.

The Tour Ni Frank is sponsored by Vellum Cycles, Poccari Sweat, OZ Racing, KIA Motors, Nagashima, Signa Modena and Blood Red along with Camelback USA, Tiger Energy Biscuits, Timex, TWO Sandals, Habagat, Recycle, RNVIOS Construction,Alphine Electrical Supply, YKK, Cyclelogic, Creative Sounds, Ripstuff Outdoors and 1020 Avenue catering services. (FREEMAN)