Nacario rules Bike King Classic

MANILA, Philippines - Aboitiz Power-sponsored Ronnie Nacario continued from where he left off as he claimed the Category 3 title in yesterday’s 2011 Bike King Cycling Classic raced at a shortened course at the Subic Bay Freeport.

The 26-year old rider who last November topped the race on the same course, made his move in the second and final loop to fend off the challenges of former triathlon champion Leian Cruz of Von Dutch-Bont and Erick Ballercer of BVTC JAC Motors.

“I used the first loop to test my rivals and when I felt I could handle their challenge, struck hard in the second and last loop,” said Nacario who clocked one hour, 29 minutes, 59 seconds.

Cruz and Ballecer submitted identical clocking of 1:30:42 with the former claiming second in the race held in cooperation with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) as his wheel crossed the line first.

Also making their presence felt in the one day bike event supported by Unilab Active Health, Pocari Sweat, Crystal Clear Water, Orbea Bicycles, Corratec Bicycles, Corima Racing Wheels, Knog, Polar Insulated Bottles and Weekend Warrior, were Robert Flores of 7-Eleven and Kaye Lopez of David’s Solon.

The 39-year old bike mechanic from Cainta, Rizal rode on his sprint prowess to nipped Anton Celestino of Suunto Giants and Paolo Maala of LPGMA-American Vinyl for the Category 4 title.

Lopez meawhile led the one-two-three finish of the David’s Solon team in the distaff side by beating Carmela Serina and Manta Lucas in this race that saw Subic Hotel Villas as official hotel.

“It was only in the last 20 meters where we engaged each other in a heated battle and I was fortunate to have outsprinted them” said Flores who along with the two riders submitted identical time of 1:28:18. “It was a fun race minus getting lost. We competed just for fitness test but at the same time, our goal was to secure the top three positions,” claimed Lopez who clocked at 1:04.06 or a second ahead of her teammates.

Race organizer Raul Cuevas who also is the Bike King CEO and TRAP director, was force to make detours from the original distance of 70-kilometer for men and 30-kilometer for the female as the lead motorcycle escort missed a turn in the early part of the race resulting to a shorter race route.

The top three finishers in all categories in the race that saw With Summit Media, Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Runner’s World and Philippine Star as media partner, were awarded trophies for their efforts.