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Russian pros arrive for ‘Hell’
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Posted on Dec 01 2011
Russian professional cyclists Rita and Konstantin Fast, Natalia Zakharova, and Danila Komkov planed in yesterday morning in time for tomorrow’s 5th Hell of Marianas Century Cycle Race. The quartet then rode a portion of the 100-kilometer course, as they were seen cruising along Beach Road yesterday morning.
The four Russians are among the four pros competing in tomorrow’s race. Defending champion Joon Yong Seo, Ji Hang Choi, and Jung Hwan Youm of Korea and Matthew Wood and John Anderson of Australia are expected to arrive on Saipan today, according to organizers. Five riders from Guam are also scheduled to plane in today.
Saipan bet Mieko Carey, who will defend her women’s championships against four female pros in the weekend race, can’t wait to hit the road and race in the competitive field.
“I am ready to go and I am happy to ride against other pros. They will help me become a strong biker,” said Carey, who timed in at 3:22:05.34 last year to place first in the women’s division and 10th overall.
Carey was more than 17 minutes ahead of her closest pursuer Guam’s Chiyo Lombard (3:39:31.41) in 2010, but this year she believes the gap will be closer and she didn’t know if is she will be able to defend her crown against the two tough Russian bikers, Korea’s Chan Hee Hwang, and Australia’s Jodie Willett.
“You never know what will happen this Saturday. I might be the last person to finish, but I’ll do my best. I will be happy to see Lewie Tenorio and young bikers Andy Nutting and Angelo Jones do the whole course and Kaisei Toda in the two-person race,” Carey said.
Tenorio, Carey, Jones, and Nutting are among the 86 riders who will compete in the solo race, while Toda is one of the 20 bikers entered in the two-person race. Six teams in the four-person race complete the 159-rider list of this year’s Hell of Marianas.
Bikers must check-in on or before 5:15am tomorrow, as the race starts at 6:15am at the southern parking lot of the Pacific Islands Club in San Antonio.
There will be a seven-hour cutoff time (1:15pm) for participants and bikers who have yet to reach the Saipan Radar Station in As Matuis (50-kilometer mark) at 9:45 will be disqualified and must return to PIC.
