Father-daughter pair tops Pika Bike Race

Bob and J.C. Ferrer are all smiles atop the winners’ podium after topping 50K Pika Bike Race last Saturday on Tinian. (Contributed Photo)

Bob and J.C. Ferrer won the men’s and women’s open division of last Saturday’s 50K Pika Bike Race on Tinian, the first father-and-daughter pair to achieve such a feat.

The elder Ferrer finished the 50-kilometer race from Kammer Beach to Suicide Cliff to North Field then back to Kammer Beach in 1:43.44, narrowly beating Mark Isip who came in at 143:45. Third place went to Joel Buco (1:44.01).

Bob could’ve finished earlier if not for a nasty spill he encountered as he was finishing the race.

“The race was very tough because of the road conditions. There were a lot of potholes you need to avoid in order to maintain your speed,” the C&R Corp. sales manager said when reached by Saipan Tribune via social message.

J.C., meanwhile, crossed the finish line in 1:55.20. Like her father, the 8th grader from Tanapag Middle School said the conditions on the bike race were less than ideal.

“I had a hard time with the road. I’m using a road bike so it’s hard to maneuver on potholes and lots of small rocks. It’s hard to concentrate. But I managed well… It was tough but I had fun and I’m happy I won,” the 14-year-old said.

Coming in second in the women’s open field was Kriz Gozon with her 2:48.31.

The 49-year-old Bob said the 2020 Pika Bike Race could be one of the toughest races he has ever competed in.

“The competition was tough for me. I got into an accident and it was a bloody race for me. But thank God I survived it. I’m so proud of J.C. that she managed it well in spite of the conditions,” he said.

Bob said the use of gravel to fill in some of the potholes made the course more dangerous as the smaller rocks made the road slippery that more than likely caused his accident in the latter part of the race.

“It was windy during the race, but the condition was almost perfect. The most challenging part of the race was the rough road. Using a road bike was hard because there’s plenty of gravel and small stones on the road,” he said.

In the men’s MTB division, Nap Dizon blazed the trail with a time of 1:55.26, followed by Noel Altamirano and Jaco Salem with times of 1:55.36 and 1:57.31, respectively.

The lone entry in the women’s MTB division was Commonwealth Ports Authority board chair Kimberly King-Hinds. She tackled the course in 2:15.24.

In the 36-45 division, Rusty Valino continued his winning ways by finishing the race in 1:50.22. Cristobal Hernando came in second with his 2:18.31, while Leo Wania rounded up the Top 3 with his 2:20.56.

For the women, Ayano Braxton was first to the finish line with her 1:55.59, followed by Marjorie Ganacias with her 2:29.53.

In the 46 and above division, Cesar Fortaleza took the plum with his 1:44.35 with Floro Drexes and Willy Barbo coming in second and third with times of 1:53.11 and 1:55.26, respectively.

Bikers Association of Tinian president Don Sarmiento said they would like to thank the sponsors of the 50K Pika Bike Race, namely the Marianas Visitors Authority, Tinian Mayor’s Office, and The Bike Shop.

The 50K Pika Bike Race was held in conjunction with last weekend’s San Jose Fiesta on Tinian.