Dizon leads NMI’s charge in ‘Hell’

Nap Dizon, center, rides with Guam’s Jake Gimoto, left, and Hong Kong’s Poon Ka Tsun on their way out of Grotto during last Saturday’s 11th Hell of the Marianas Century Cycling Race. (Jon Perez)

Nap Dizon emerged as the CNMI’s top finisher in the 11th Hell of the Marianas Century Cycling Race held last Saturday.

The veteran cyclist, who traded his MTB to a road bike, came in 20th overall behind a host of pro/elite riders to finish third in the non-pro division with his 4:02:05. Guam had 1-2 finish in the non-pro riders with Jonathan Martin clinching the top spot after submitting 3:44:42 and compatriot Jake Gimoto recording 4:01:59. Martin was 14th overall and even had a sprint battle to the finish line against Japanese pro Yamato Kanematsu (3:44:41).

Martin broke away early against Gimoto and Dizon as he was part of the peloton heading to the Bird Island-Grotto area. He failed to keep pace with the pros, but established a good lead against his non-pro opponents to take the top honors. Gimoto, on the other hand, was the 20th rider that completed the turn at Kingfisher, while Dizon was 22nd and the two riders battled it out going back to the finish line of the extended race.

This year’s course, which started and ended a few meters away from the main entrance of the Marianas Resort & Spa, was 15 kilometers longer than the original layout as organizers chose to make a slight change due to the ongoing road construction going up Capital Hill.

In the women’s non-pro road bike division, the Top 3 finishers were Guam’s Kristina Ingvarsson (4:15:12), Hong Kong’s Hiu Tung Tsang (4:29:20), and South Korea’s Lee Myungsook (4:48:05).

Gretchen Druliner was the 40-44 women’s age group winner with a time of 5:15:42, while South Korea’s Oh Sang Mi was 30 minutes behind.

Wynn Brillo raced in the U19 division and completed the course in 4:14:25, while J.C. Libut was third in the men’s 30-39 division (4:36:24) won by China’s Zheng Yi (4:03:25) with South Korean Jeong Jaehyeong settling for second (4:08:36).

Dennis Bautista (4:47:05) and Rio Jacob (5:39:33) came in second and third behind South Korea’s Kim Jungyoung (4:12:23) in the 40 to 44 age group, while multi-sport athlete Tyce Mister was third in the men’s 50-54 division. Mister recorded 5:00:49 to finish behind Hong Kong’s Nip Wai Wun (4:19:46) and South Korean Choi Yongil (4:49:15).

Mark Isip clocked in 5:05:02 in the men’s 50-54 MTB class to beat fellow CNMI bets Norlo Jacosalem (5:31:50), Noel Altamirano (5:58:09). Carlos Aguilar (6:00:42), and Gerardo Panagsagan (6:29:43).

Tae Kim Sung (4:29:23), Ju Choi Sung (4:49:35), and Suk Lee Ki (5:44:43) completed a South Korean sweep in the male 20-29 age group, while their compatriot Park Jinhwan ruled the men’s 45-49 (4:20:45). Guam’s Noel Ponseca (4:25:05) and South Korean Kim Chulmin (4:34:24) placed second and third behind Park in the 45-49 age group, while Kelvin Kai Leung Ho (4:48:01), Manny Sitchon (5:18:52), and Wong Lip For (6:04:05) were the Top 3 placers in the 55-59 age division.

Japan’s Suehiro Arizumi topped the 60-and-over class after posting 4:11:37, while NMI’s Willy Barbo came in at second (4:41:48) and another Japanese, Kazuo Terae (6:49:13), was ranked third.