2 more Russian pros enter ‘Hell’

Returnee Konstantin Fast of Russia will be racing with his wife, Rita, this Saturday, while Danila Komkov also made it to the list of around 160 bikers that will cruise around the island during the 5th Hell of Marianas Century Cycle Race.

Rita Fast and Komkov are the newest additions to the roster of pro cyclists who will compete in the grueling 100-kilometer race this weekend. Komkov will vie for the men’s division crown against defending champion Joon Yong Seo, Ji Hang Choi, and Jung Hwan Youm of Korea, Konstantin Fast, Matthew Wood and John Anderson of Australia, Guam’s Ben Ferguson, Peter Lombard, David Spelger, Cameron O’Neil, and Derek Horton, and local bets Lewie Tenorio and Butch Sublemente.

Komkov, according to Hell of Marianas organizers, is a member of the Russian National Team. The Samara native’s most recent win came in the 2011 Russian National Championships for climbers in March. The race was a two-part series with Komkov topping both races, beating members of the Itera-Katusha Under 23, an elite group of Russian bikers.

Rita Fast’s latest result was a second-place finish in a summer youth game last year, Hell of Marianas organizers added. She will be racing in the women’s division against defending champion and Saipan pride Mieko Carey, Australia’s Jodie Willett, Korea’s Chan Hee Hwang, and compatriot Natalia Zakharva.

Meanwhile, organizers said additional cash prizes will be given away to top bikers who will cross the finish line with the official Hell of Marianas race jersey. The first male and female finishers in HOM jersey will get $100 each aside from the top pot of $1,500. For the first finishers in the two-person and four-person races, they will get $50. This weekend’s event will also have devil sprint contests worth $50 each. The “devil” will be out on the road and once riders see the devil, they have to sprint towards him for the $50 cash prize.

This weekend’s Hell of Marianas will start at 6:15am and bikers are advised to be at the starting line at the southern parking lot of Pacific Islands Club in San Antonio on or before 5:15. Motorists are also requested to take extra caution from 6am to 9am when bikers will be riding in packs.

The will start in San Antonio and bikers will head north up to Kagman and pedal down Capital Hill en route to the Radar Station, Suicide Cliff, Grotto, Bird Island, and Banzai Cliff before heading back to the finish line via Beach Road.