Rookies seek Xterra Albay spotlight

MANILA, Philippines – Cameron O’Neal, Hsieh Chung Sing, Taylor Charlton and Lizzie Orchard go all-out in pursuit of big Xterra debut against some of the world’s top off-road triathletes in the second staging of the event unfolding Feb. 7 in Albay.

O’Neal, a United Airlines pilot and coach-member of Guam national triathlon team, and Hsieh, Titan Triathlon’s Hong Kong team standout, set out for a big finish in the men’s side of the event hosted by the Province of Albay with City of Legazpi, Municipality of Daraga and Bayan ng Sto. Domingo as venue hosts.

Charlton, a multi-event athlete who vied in athletics, rugby, soccer, cricket and tennis before moving to triathlon, is the other rookie expected to crowd the favorites for top honors in the world’s premier off-road triathlon with the majestic Mayon Volcano as backdrop.

But they will be up against a crack field headlined by last year’s Asia-Pacific Xterra Series champion Bradley Weiss, who is all-geared up for his defense of the crown in the swim-bike-run competition sponsored by 2Go Express as the official logistics and courier partner, Columbia, Finisher Pix and David’s Salon.

Aussies Ben Allen, a 14-time Xterra World Tour titlist, and Brodie Gardner, a cross triathlon specialist, Charlie Epperson of Guam, last year’s Singapore National Triathlon winner, Michal Bucek of Slovakia and local bet Joseph Miller, who placed third overall in 2014 Xterra Philippines, toughen up the field, each raring to foil the South African champion’s repeat bid.

A wide open battle is also seen in the women’s side with last year’s titlist Flora Duffy opting to skip this year’s staging to concentrate on her buildup for the Rio Olympics.

That leaves veteran campaigners Jacqui Slack of Australia and Mieko Carey of Guam to dispute the top honors with New Zealand’s Orchard,  runner-up in the grand finale of Xterra Asian Tour in Malaysia, looming as the darkhorse.

The event is acked by Shotz Sports Nutrition, DOT/TPB, Cetaphil, Intercare, Human Heart Nature, Prudential Guarantee and Assurance, Inc. Coca-Cola Femsa (official hydration partner), and Tri Life Magazine, TV 5 and The Philippine STAR (media partners) and Timex (official timing partner).

The 1.5K swim kicks off in the shores of Lidong in Mayon Rivera, while the 35K bike course features wide and open trails and provides breathtaking view of Mayon. It is a single loop point-to-point race passing through fire roads, grass roads, sands and rocky trails.

The finishing 10K run follows the ATV route in Mayon passing through rocky and sandy areas, river bed, and grasslands with the finish line set at the famous Cagsawa Ruins.