Mieko, Butch lead SCA bike race winners

Familiar faces crossed the finish line first in the Saipan Cyclers Association MTB & Road Race II last Sunday at Paupau Beach.

In the men’s division, Butch Sublemente, who dominated a couple of local races in the past months, completed the MTB full course race in 47 minutes and 58 seconds to beat Lewie Tenorio (49:05), Anthony Aguilar (49:51), and 13 other riders in event.

In the women’s division, Mieko Carey joined her first local race since returning to Saipan after a runner-up finish in Kaike Triathlon last month and timed in at 52:38 to beat Susan Marchitti (1:10:26). Carey placed fourth overall among 18 riders who joined the MTB long course race that started at Paupau and then bikers headed to Banzai trail, Cowtown, Santa Clause lane (Grotto trail), and Autobahn and Kimikaze trails. They turned left, went down to the road heading to Suicide cliff, turned left again on the jeep road behind the golf course, turned right on the trail that led to the road to the golf course (before the million gallon tank), turned another left at the bottom of the hill, and headed back to Paupau.

In the short course, youth biker Erico Castro came out on top of 26 others, submitting 41:19. Arnel Cruz (41:45) and Ronald Lanuzo (41:51) completed the Top 3. In the women’s division, Reginal Sebial finished first at 52:48, beating Joan Salazar (57:07) and Ester Ada (57:41).

The MTB short course had the same starting line but after the Santa Clause lane, riders tuned right on the pave road and then back to Paupau.

Last Sunday’s MTB division also had competition for beginners with Erwin Calage ruling a field of 14 riders after clocking in at 35:20. Biteregor Agbon and Ariel Lansangan rounded out the Top 3 in the men’s division after posting 35:32 and 37:14, respectively. The women’s division had a lone entry in Claire Lanuza, who completed the shortest race of the day in 46:47. The MTB beginners course began at Paupau and riders went to Banzai trail, Cowtown, and exit at Marpi landfill for a return trip to the starting line.

In the men’s road bike division, Willy Barbo and Nap Dizon had a neck-and-neck finish with the former timing in at 1:21:05 against the latter’s 1:21:07. Harold Balana made it to the Top 3 with his 1:23:28.

Thirteen joined the road bike race, including lone female rider Juanita Fajardo, who timed in at 2:11:05. The road bike also began at Paupau and riders went up to Radar Station, Suicide Cliff, Bird Island, Grotto, and Banzai Cliff and then headed back to the starting line.

Last Sunday’s event drew 74 bikers and was supported by Marpac, IT&E, Bike Pto, H&R Block, Hong Electronic, Chow Queen, MBI, DFS Saipan, Transamerica, Braby Pharmacy, Pacific Islands Club, D&W Corporation, and The Water Company.