Buco, Sublemente lead finishers list

Joel Buco celebrates his first place finish in the road bike category of last Sunday’s Saipan Unity Lions Club 4th Annual Bike Race at Banzai Cliff. (Contributed Photo)

More than 100 riders completed the Saipan Unity Lions Club 4th Annual Bike Race with Joel Buco and Butch Sublemente topping the finishers list of last Sunday’s event.

Buco was the overall first finisher in the long course, completing the nearly 64-kilometer race that started and ended at Banzai Cliff (four laps) with a turnaround point at Mobil Gas Station in Tanapag in a little over one and a half hour. He also prevailed in the road bike category of the event made more challenging by the rain, as organizers missed recording the official times of the finishers with riders’ race numbers soaked in water.

Joining Buco in the Top 3 in the road bike division were Bob Ferrer and Mark Isip, while Sublemente ruled the mountain bike category, placing ahead of Noe Valdisimo and Pax Guevarra.

Mountain bike division overall winner Butch Sublemente, center, is all smiles after receiving his prizes from Saipan Unity Lions Club officials. (Contributed Photo)

In the women’s division, Bob’s daughter, J.C. won the road bike long course race, while Marjorie Ganacios and Vernice Ronda came in at second and third, respectively.

In the age group categories (still in road bike long course), the top finishers were Arvin Velasco (below 40), Nap Dizon (40-44), Rusty Valino (45-49), Jojo Valencia (50-54), Robert Tamondong (55-59), Ogie Laxamana (over 60), and Sheila Isla (women’s 40-44).

In the MTB long course age group competitions, Charlie Sendin took the top honors in the 40 and below, Nathan Pagaduan triumphed in the 41-50, Noel Altamirano ruled the 51-55, and Floro Derexes won the over 56 division.

Meanwhile in the short course race (one lap), Ronald Bernardo, Michael Aparte, Julie Rose Felipe, and Mariel Panaligan lorded it over in their respective divisions.

From left, Saipan Unity Lions Club president Alice Barbo, Top 3 placers in the women’s road bike category Marjorie Ganacias, J.C. Ferrer, and Vernice Ronda, and SULC director Boyet Escober pose for a photo during the awards ceremony. (Contributed Photo)

Bernardo was the No.1 finisher in the road bike, beating Jonier Enriquez and Julius Mabutas, while Felipe led the Top 3 placers in the women’s division, downing Rowena Houck and Yuki Rechucher.

In the MTB category, Michael Aparte, Raymond Tolentino, and Napoleon Solis were the podium finishers in the men’s, while Panaligan, Mary Anne Enriquez and Xiuyun Hocog took the Top 3 honors in the women’s side.

In the age group divisions (road bike), Keith Mendoza, Ferdz Licayen, Oscar Calage, and Angeles Alvarez won first place in the below 40, 41-55, 51-55, and 56 and above, respectively. In the MTB category, K.J. Villacrusis topped the below 40 age group, Angelo Nicolas prevailed in the 41-50, Ronald Alcantara excelled in the 51-55, and Edgar Garcia stood out in the 56 and above division.