Reynante tops Criterium GP

MANILA, Philippines - Veteran campaigner Lloyd Lucien Reynante bagged the overall Elite Open crown while unheralded Tots Tonido copped the leg honors in the Roadbike Phils.-711 Manila Criterium Grand Prix along Roxas Blvd. last weekend.

Tonido outsprinted Ericson Obosa and Manuel Naluz in a mad dash to the finish line in front of the Rajah Sulayman Park to take the leg honors. 

But it was the 31-year-old Reynante, who took the overall crown despite finishing sixth in the fourth and final leg of the event presented by 7-11, Oishi, Excellent Noodles and Columbia sportswear.

“I’m very happy since I didn’t expect to win here for lack of training,” said Reynante, son of former Tour Pilipinas champion Maui Reynante, who topped the division by garnering 43 points.

Tonido settled for second place overall while Roger Oconer, son of national coach Bert Oconer, took the 25-and-under overall championship after placing second to Roby Urbano in the races, backed by Cellway, Suunto watches, Franzia California Red Wine, Phiten Philippines, Pocari Sweat, Gatorade, Summit, and Red Bull, the event’s official energy drink.

Sportsman-businessman Alex Billan, meantime, topped the 36-45-year-old and Filipino-Chinese overall division.

Running under the colors of Team Franzia, Billan placed third in the 36-45 class ruled by Joselito Santos while winning the Fil-Chi competition under his own club Excellent Noodles.  

Other overall winners were Manny de Quiroz (56 above), Joel Balucos (26-35) and Ruel Gendrano (46 above).

The other leg champions were Arthuz Bucay (26-35), Roby Urbano (under-25), Elmer Azas (above-56), and Toti Quintos (46-55).