Another podium finish for Spaeth in ’22 Pacific Cup

Robyn Spaeth triumphantly crosses the finish line at the Guam Museum Park last Sunday after coming in third in the road race of the Inaugural Pacific Cup. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Robyn Spaeth came home with not one but two bronze medals in her carryon upon arrival yesterday at the Francisco C. Ada-Saipan International Airport from Guam where she added a third place finish in the road race of the Inaugural Pacific Cup.

The 39-year-old Marianas High School teacher on Sunday negotiated the 105-kilometer course that started and finished at the Guam Museum Park in 3:54:32.5.

That was good enough for third place in the Oceania Cycling Confederation event that had New Caledonia powerhouse cyclists Celine Hirzel (3:28:26.0) and (3:42:03.6) come in first and second, which is the same order of last Friday’s time trial where Spaeth also came in third.

Like her bronze medal-finish in the time trial, Spaeth remained humble after thundering to third in the road race.

“Going into Pacific Cup events, I was not anticipating being able to podium, so I was thrilled with my third place finishes. By the end of the 105K race, I was not concerned with my ranking but striving to finish. It was a beautiful course, but my legs and mind were ready to be done.”

She said overall the weather and road conditions cooperated and were ideal during their stay in Guam.

“On both days, we were pretty fortunate with good conditions. There was a strong headwind during the time trials, but for a short race, it was bearable. For the 105K, there were a lot of light showers, but that helped keep the temperatures down. I was surprised that the roads still felt really safe and not slippery, even with all of the wet conditions.”

Spaeth dedicated her two bronze medals to her family, friends, and the Northern Mariana Islands Cycling Federation.

“My husband, Travis Spaeth, has been so amazing and supportive of me as I train for different events. Additionally, I am fortunate to have a fantastic group of biking friends who motivate and train with me on long, early morning rides. And a big thank you to NMICF and Jay Diyco for inviting and encouraging me to participate. I would also like to give a hug thanks to my coach, Mick Ferris, who was also the coach for the CNMI National Triathlon Team, and my good friend/training partner, who is always encouraging me to push myself, Kathy Ruszala,” said the native of North Dakota.

Diyco, NMICF official and Team NMI manager, again congratulated Spaeth for her second bronze medal and also thanked Oceania Cycling Confederation for organizing the Inaugural Pacific Cup. He also thanked people behind the Tour of Guam, which was held simultaneously with the Pacific Cup.

“I would like to thank the Oceania Cycling Confederation for hosting the Pacific Cup. It is good that we had this event after 27 years. To the organizing committee of the Tour of Guam 2022 thank you very much for the great event.

Diyco added that Team NMI had to hurdle a lot of obstacles and was happy that Spaeth was able to bring home two bronze medals.

“We had to overcome a lot of challenges like unfamiliarity of the course, short preparation, and especially age factor. I think we had the oldest team in both the Pacific Cup and Tour of Guam.”

Team NMI to the Pacific Cup and Tour of Guam would like to thank NMICF, headed by Vince Seman, the Oceania Cycling Confederation, Bridge Capital LLC, and AK Toyota for sponsoring them in their trip to Guam.

Making up the NMI team to the Pacific Cup were Spaeth, Kathy Ruszala, Willy Barbo, Cesar Fortaleza, and Nomer Mangalinao, while Rusty Valino, Jojo Valencia, Nelson Pagaduan, Florence Antonio, and Diyco represented the CNMI in the Tour of Guam.