Delos Reyes edges Rana, rules Bike United Tour

MANILA, Philippines - Bike King’s Joey Delos Reyes dominated the road race as he topped the 90-km Stage three to likewise steal the overall individual crown in Category 2 at the close of the Bike United Tour of Subic at the Subic Bay Freeport last Sunday.

The 26-year-old bike mechanic and Unilab Active Health’s Ben Rana pulled away from the main pack right after the first 25kms before Delos Reyes outsprinted Rana in a thrilling finish.

“Mas gusto ko ang ahon kesa sa flat kaya talagang plano ko na umatake agad,” said Delos Reyes who negotiated the race that had stiff uphill climbs in two hours, 38 minutes, 46 seconds.

Fresh from a runner-up finish in the 60km road race Stage two, Delos Reyes posted a total time of 5:08:58 to win the individual title in the two-day bikefest organized by Bike King headed by Raul Cuevas and presented by Unilab Active Health.

Cebuano rider Ramonito Espinosa, who topped the first two stages, suffered a mechanical problem midway through the race and arrived 14 minutes behind Delos Reyes (2:52:56).

“Naputulan ako ng kadena at ilang minuto rin ako nahinto dahil nilagyan ko pa ng clip. Sayang, kungdi nangyari ito, makakasabay ako sa kanila,” rued Espinosa, who settled for seventh spot in 5:22:31 time.

Rana, second behind in Stage three (2:38:47), finished second overall in 5:11:22 while Mervin Santiago of Sante Barley, who came in third in the final race (2:43:00), bagged the third overall with a 5:13:44 clocking.

Franzia’s lady rider Marella Vania Salamat topped the race to complete a sweep of the three-stage event also supported by Aboitiz, Subic Holiday Villas,AboitizPower, Orbea, Pocari Sweat, Crystal Clear Purified Water, Shimano,OtterBox, Maxxis Tires and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA)-Tourism Department.

The 20-year-old UE student taking up dentistry timed at 3:00:45 for an impressive total time of 5:36:06.

“My goal was to really go hard on the hills to determine who my rivals would be. I’m happy to have defended my title,” said Salamat.

Veteran cyclists Doray Ellis and LC Langit of Boys Get Chicked settled for a far second and third overall at 6:07:37 and 6:13:29, respectively, even as Jerard Estilo of ASG Quickspeed Philippines emerged champion in the men’s Category 3 in 5:16:17, edging Christopher Lobanon of Shell V-Power Nitro+ (5:17:12)

and teammate Agustin Querimit (5:20:42).

Fitness First Cycling Team ruled the Team Competition event in 15:53:00 while Sante Barley Cycling Team took second place in 16:03:58 with Unilab Active Health

Elite team finishing third at 16:21:36.