Obosa overruns criterium rivals

Former national rider Erickson Obosa came through with a gritty come-from-behind victory in the Elite Open division of the Mayor Miguel Cojuangco Rivilla Cup in front of the biggest out-of-town crowd yet in the 2008 Tanduay National Criterium Grand Prix staged in Paniqui, Tarlac last weekend.

Unfazed by the early morning rains, close to 3,000 cycling enthusiasts from all over Central Luzon lined up on both sides of the 3-kilometer route to witness Obosa scramble in the last 300 meters to nip Reynaldo Navarro, capping an eventful day in the bikefest presented by Tanduay and Hitachi.

Savoring the festive atmosphere was no less than Mayor Rivilla, who showed up in cycling gear and led the riders and some of his townmates in a ceremonial fun ride before the actual competitions, also backed by Fuji Xerox Phils. and Rudy Project.

The fun ride aimed to dramatize the “Siklista ng Bayan” campaign, an advocacy of Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte in promoting bicycle lanes in the cities and towns nationwide.  

A veteran of the 2007 Southeast Asian Games, Obosa, who was in the second group, broke away in the last half-kilometer and caught up with pacesetting trio of Navarro, Santi Barnachea, who came in third, and Lito Atilano (fourth) to win the contest by a close shave.

Jazy Sportswear-Pitaki Boyz bagged team honors, GHQ Microsoft was runnerup and Tarlac Team A third in the event also supported by EDSA 999 Properties, Hi-Life Spa and D-Loads.

Executive riders dominated the Mixed Masters-Executive Division.