NAKHON RATCHASIMA — Maritess Bitbit settled for a second bronze medal while Victor Espiritu missed the victory podium in the 24th SEA Games road cycling individual time trial here yesterday.
The Thais made a one-two finish in the women’s race and another Thai had his golden run in the men’s race run at a well-paved and generally flat route at the outskirt of the city.
Bitbit was looking for a better finish after taking the bronze in the cross country while Espiritu was aching to regain the gold he won in Jakarta in 1997. The two were way off their targets.
Bitbit negotiated the 30km race for the women at 44:25:137, a minute and six seconds behind winner Chapookam Monrudee and 45 seconds off silver-medal winner Montasin Chanpeng.
The Filipina has two more chance to medal in the massed start and in points race.
Espiritu checked in with the fifth best time in the 42km race for the men topped by Mohawong Prajak.
The one-time Marlboro Tour champion clocked 54.15, one minute and 16 seconds behind the champion. – Nelson Beltran