American rider rules Stage 3 in Bohol race

CEBU, Philippines - American rider Keith DeFiebre of Monterrey, California shone the brightest in the Men Golden category after  winning Stage 3 of the Ride Bohol Cycling Race, a 40-kilometer criterium around Panglao Island in Bohol.

DeFiebre posted the best time of one hour, 32 minutes and 48 seconds, just a wheel length from Boy Tiples of Manila who timed 1:32:49.

Completing the bunch sprint finish were Cebuano Dr. Jonathan Simbajon and Bohol's pride Frank Labra who occupied the third and fourth spots with 1:32:50 and 1:32:51 clockings, respectively.

Another Cebuano, Dr. John Gayatin, who was earlier in the thick of the action, unluckily flatted towards the end of the race but still crawled back for fifth place honors in 1:35:03.

A criterium race, especially if it is held in a flat course, usually ends in a bunch (group) sprint, with only seconds separating the winners.

What happened in the Men B/C race did not go the usual way.

Jonel Carcueva of Cebu took a big gamble in the early part of the race by staging a daring solo breakaway. Surprisingly, the peloton never bothered to chase him.

Carcueva won the race in 50 minutes and eight seconds, more than nine minutes ahead of the group. The second to fifth were contested in a bunch sprint among Adelino Buligan of Bohol (59:44.43), Cebuano Amon Espinosa (59:44.83), Roger Torreon from Bohol (59:45.54), and Harry Jumamoy (59:45.94).

Meanwhile, 16-year-old female rider Ana Patricia Maximo of YKKBikes.com received a Special Award from the organizers for her resilience in racing in a 3-stage 142km men's competition.

"Cycling is fun and you get to see tourist spots and learn the culture of other places," shares the grade 10 student of Sacred Heart School - Hijas de Jesus and a resident of Brgy. Lahug, Cebu City.

"I hope my participation will encourage more women and kids to take up the sport," said the 2-time SAC Cebu Sports awardee and Batang Pinoy national champion.  (FREEMAN)