Oz racing descent force MTB-downhill race, All set for round five of DROP Nat’l Series

CEBU, Philippines - It's green and go for round five of the Downhill Riders Organization of the Philippines (DROP) National Series, an adrenaline-pumping downhilll mountainbike race set on September 13-14 at the picturesque Canso X Mountain Adventure Park in Cansomoroy, Balamban south of Cebu.

Zandro H. Fajardo, the main man of the organizing OZ Racing Descent Force, said a total of 108 riders from all over the country will showcase their maneuvering skills under a treacherous slope and rugged terrains that are the main highlight of the two-day tilt.

"I enjoin all mountainbike enthusiasts to come and support this event because we have a lot to offer - the fun, the excitement and the high-octane competition downhill racing brings," said Fajardo in a press conference yesterday at West Gorordo Hotel.

The centerpiece of attraction is the highly-anticipated showdown between Singapore's best downhill rider Tan Hong Chun and Phl's brightest bet in JR Barba of Dumaguete City.

The 33-year-old Tan, one of Asia's top downhillers, will see action for only the second time on Phl soil. The first was in 2005 in Danao City where he finished just one notch short of a bronze medal in cross-country event of mountainbike competition during the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Showcasing his talent as a downhiller this time, Tan downplayed his chances saying he has much respect for the Filipino riders like Barba.

"It really depends on the course. It all depends on how we negotiate the obstacles," said Tan, a silver medallist in the 2012 Asian Mountainbike Championships hosted by Lebanon.

Likewise, Barba was reluctant to predict on his chances of pulling an upset over a top caliber foe although he had been performing well in all tournaments he participated in abroad. "It's going to be 50-50, let's just see what happens this Saturday," said Barba, who won the overall championship in last year's DROP series.

Going into round five, the 26-year-old Barba has all the needed boost as he swept the previous four legs staged in General Santos City, Baguio, Manila and most recently in Cagayan de Oro City.

Whatever is the outcome of this weekend's joust, Barba is already the virtual champ with an unassailable lead heading into the sixth and final leg on October 25 in Ormoc City.

Aside from the premiere open division, the other categories to be contested are the expert, 40-above, 30-above, 20-above, 19-below and the special class for first time riders.

"Our race course is patterned after that of the international standard, but it is not highly technical that even the beginners and first-timers won't find it hard to negotiate," assured Fajardo, himself a decorated daredevil aside from being a noted race organizer. (FREEMAN)