Showing that he had something left to spare after a grueling road race the day before, Renato Sembrano took top honors in the Mayor Oscar Gozos Cup, fourth leg of the 2008 Tanduay-Hitachi National Criterium Grand Prix, in Lipa City last Sunday.
In front of a huge weekend crowd that stretched from the Lipa City Hall to SM Lipa, the 26-year-old Mangaldan, Pangasinan native captured the Elite Open crown for a brilliant encore following his third-place finish in the Tour de Lake Taal, won by provincemate Baler Ravina the previous day.
Alvin Benosa placed second while Manuel Nalus came out of nowhere to bag third place in the one-day bikefest co-presented by Hitachi and Tanduay plus Rudy Project, Fuji Xerox Phils. and EDSA 999 Properties as supporters.
Jazy Sportswear grabbed the Elite Open team title, Philippine Army A was second and Guimba Cycling Club third in the event jointly organized by Pro Ads Marketing Concepts, Inc. and the Lipa City Community Affairs Office headed by Danilo Tobias.
Carrying the colors of Team Excellent Noodles, Rolando Pagnanawon, the 1986 Marlboro Tour champion, shared the spotlight by snaring the Mixed Masters Executive trophy, followed by teammates Ruel Gendrano, the overall sprint winner, and Placido Valdez, who placed second and third, respectively.
Sembrano and majority of the riders who took part in the successful Tour de Lake Taal had the chance to take a well-needed rest and experienced the famed Batangas hospitality from Mayor Gozos, who gave them overnight room and board, highlighted by a sumptuous buffet dinner.