Atilano bags San Fernando leg of criterium

Lito Atilano outduelled teammates Sherwin Carrera and Emerson Obosa to lead a 1-2-3 sweep of JazySports Beacon Phils. of the Elite Open contest in  the Mayor Oscar Rodriguez Cup in San Fernando, Pampanga last weekend.

In front of another banner crowd, Atilano and his teammates thrilled their fellow Kapampangans as they stamped their class in the eighth leg of the Tanduay National Criterium Grand Prix presented by Hitachi.

The one-day bikefest, also backed by Fuji Xerox Printers and Rudy Project, served as the culminating activity of San Fernando’s “Tugak” (Frog) Festival, referring to the town’s popular fresh water frog delicacy.

Before firing off the participants, Mayo Rodriguez said that he is one with Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte in his “Siklista ng Bayan” campaign to promote cycling lanes in towns and cities nationwide. 

As expected JazySports Beacon Phils. took team honors, Army-AFP placed second and Guimba, Agnes Bike Shop third in the event jointly organized by the San Fernando City government and Pro Ads Marketing Concepts Inc.

Team Excellent Jonchi of businessman Alex Villan also dominated the Mixed Masters/BCPro Division with Ruel Gendrano, Placido Valdez and Joel Balucos grabbing the top three spots in the criterium races supported by D-Loads, EDSA 999 Properties and Hi-Life Spa.

Tri-Clark settled for second overall while Microsoft A bagged third in the division.

Neighboring Tarlac riders shared the spotlight with Modesto Morton of Paniqui topping the All-Kapampangan Division, followed by Joseph Guevarra and Abel Pasion of Bambam and San Miguel, respectively.

Project events director Ric Rodriguez said the races take a week’s break before they hit a road again on Nov. 9 with the staging of the Gov. Amado T. Espino Cup, the penultimate leg of the series, in Lingayen, Pangasinan.