Gacayan, Aparte rule 1st stage of Hell of the Marianas

Aparte

Roland Gacayan and Mike Aparte were the fastest in two wheels in the first stage of the 2023 Hell of the Marianas held last Sunday.

Gacayan topped the road bike division of the 35-kilometer course from Banzai Cliff to La Fiesta, to 1-Million Gallon Tank, to Bird Island, and back to Banzai Cliff in 1:15:35.

Two seconds off his pace was runner-up Joel Buco in 1:1:37, while Renren Gaviola completed the Top 3 in 1:15:48.

The 38-year-old Townhouse Furniture staff said he was just fortunate to have outsprinted Buco to the finish line. 

“The road was wet and perilous. I’m just happy that all my hard work in practice paid off,” adding that he and Buco actually caught up with Gaviola toward the end after the youngster broke away from the main pack.”

The La Union, Philippines native said aside from the wet road conditions, he also found it a  challenge to match Buco and Gaviola in the climbs as the two are known for their prowess in pedaling uphill. 

Gaviola said he trained 3-4 days a week more or less 60 kilometers a day in the runup toward the first stage of the Hell of Marianas. 

Gacayan

Aparte, for his part, took apart the mountain bike field after crossing the finish line in 1:25:09. A distant second was Bryan Ytac in 1:30:43, while Angeles Alvarez was third in 1:38:40.

Hailing from Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, Aparte said it was a surprise win for him since he hardly practiced.

“Despite not really training because of my work commitments I really did my best to win the race. Racing is my passion even when I was still in the Philippines before,” he said.

The Pacific Islands Club Saipan staff dedicated his win to his family, adding that “they’re my inspiration to win every race I compete in.”

Northern Mariana Islands Cycling Federation official Jay Diyco said a total of 26 bikers took part in the initial offering of the Hell of the Marianas series.

The second part will be on Aug. 20 and will encompass the Suicide Cliff, Bird Island Lookout, Banzai Cliff, and Radar route, while the third and last part will be on Oct. 15 and will start at Radar before going to Suicide Cliff, Bird Island Lookout, Banzai Cliff, Suicide Cliff, Bird Island Lookout, Grotto, then returns to Banzai Cliff.

The results of the age divisions in both the road and mountain bike divisions will be published in tomorrow’s issue of Saipan Tribune.

The 2023 Hell of Marianas series concludes with the 100-kilometer 2023 Hell of the Marianas Century Cycle on Dec. 2.

For more information, contact NMI Cycling Federation president Vince Seman at nmicycling@gmail.com.