MANILA, Philippines - New faces took the spotlight in the AboitizPower Tour of Subic Stage 3 road race with Globalport’s Jester Mendoza ruling the 90km race at the close of the event at the Subic Bay Freeport last Sunday.
Mendoza, 15, dominated the field in the lung-busting race in the premier Category 3 Class, finishing in two hours, 27 minutes and 37 seconds to frustrate Von Dutch rider Ricky Calla again.
It was Calla’s third straight runner-up finish after the 20km individual time trial and the 40km Criterium race of the two-day event organized by Bike King Philippines and co-sponsored by AboitizPower and its subsidiary, SN-AboitizPower Group.
Aldrian Adlawan of Admor Team topped the Category 4 in the event backed by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Tourism
Department, Unilab Active Health, Orbea, Corima, Crystal Clear, Garmin, Pocari Sweat and Mini Phlippines.
Adlawan, who settled for a pair of fourth place finishes in the ITT and criterium, turned in a 2:52:45 clocking to beat Rodel Ramirez of Franzia Wine and Nicasio Onan.
Former national cyclist Marita Lucas of David’s Salon, meanwhile, stamped his class in the shorter 85-km event with a 2:53.39 clocking.
Lucas defeated triathlete Keshia Fule and Marella Vanie Salamat in a fitting follow-up to her victory in the criterium event.
Salamat bucked a spill and took the bronze after ruling the ITT race and settling for second in the criterium.
A total of 273 cyclists, including 34 female cyclists, representing different clubs, saw action in the annual event which also drew entries from the Weather Philippines Foundation (WPF).
An advocacy of the Aboitiz Group in partnership with Swiss firm Meteomedia, WPF provided the participants with accurate, localized weather information and digital race course.
All winners received specially designed trophies and gift items from the organizers and sponsors led by Bike King executive Raul Cuevas.
For the complete results and list of winners, visit the organizer’s official website at www.bikekingphilippines.com and their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BikeKingPhil.