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40 complete SCA MTB and road bike race
Several bikers pose for a photo while waiting for the start of the Saipan Cyclers MTB & Road Bike Race 6 last Sunday at Banzai Cliff. (Contributed Photo)
Korean pro Kaon Cho led the 40 finishers in last Sunday’s Saipan Cyclers MTB & Road Race 6.
Cho, who competed in XTERRA Saipan and Tagaman Triathlon last month and is preparing for this Saturday’s Saipan Marathon, topped the road course after timing in at 1:22:42. He did three laps of the course that started and ended at Banzai Cliff with a turnaround in Mobil Tanapag, crossing the finish line more than six minutes ahead of Bob Ferrer (1:28:59). Youth biker Jerome Diyco completed the Top 3 after submitting 1:29:08.
In the 45-and-under division, Nap Dizon was the first finisher after clocking in at 1:29:38. Wynn Brillo (1:29:41) and Fred Remilloza (1:29:49) joined him in the Top 3.
In the 46-and-above category, there was a down-to-the-wire finish between Willy Barbo and Cesar Fortaleza with the former nosing out the latter after recording 1:32:26 or just one second ahead of the runner-up’s time. Tinian’s Allen Perez rounded out the podium finish with the field’s third best time of 1:39:27, while young athlete Angel Marie Tan was the lone female entry in the road bike division and completed the two laps required in 1:10:18.
Meanwhile, Ken Pierson ruled the men’s open MTB long course in Sunday’s race after registering 1:14:10. The MTB long course had Pierson and company pedaling from Banzai Cliff and going though Kimikaze, Autobahn, Bird Island Lookout, Kalabera Road, the road at the back of Marianas Country Club and back to Bird Island before heading to Santa Clause lane, the dumping station in Marpi, and then to the start/finish line.
Dencio Bautista placed second behind Pierson after posting 1:18:30, while Romy Ampit came in at third with his 1:25:07. In the men’s 46-and-above division, Ferry Esquivel logged 1:27:18 to beat Russ Quinn and Floro Derexes, who tallied 1:31:19 and 1:32:18, respectively, while Kanae Quinn was the lone entry in the women’s division and clocked in at 1:31:18.
In the MTB short course, which brought riders from Banzai Cliff to the dumping site, Santa Clause Lane, Bird Island Lookout, Kalabera Road, the back road at MCC and back to Bird Island Lookout, Santa Clause Lane and dumping site en route to the start/finish line, Jomer Enriques emerged as the top finisher after clocking in at 1:15:16. Roland Libayan (1:17:02) and Ariel Lansangan (1:17:52) completed the Top 3, while Margaret Rose took the top finish in the women’s field after checking in at 1:25:06.
In the MTB beginners course (one lap, from Banzai Cliff to Mobil Tanapag and back), Angel Esquivel (43:06), Rodney Catalla (46:03), and the 11-year-old Jin Ju Thompson (46:56) were the Top 3 finishers.
In related news, Saipan Cyclers Association, which organized the weekend race, would like to the thank the following for supporting yesterday’s event: Bridge Capital, MARPAC, Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, T Galleria, IT&E, Pacific Islands Club, Brabu Pharmacy, The Water Company, Pacific Trading, Co., and Taro Sue.
