Biker Caluag bags PHL’s first Asiad gold

INCHEON, South Korea – Olympian biker Daniel Caluag on Wednesday gave the Philippines its first gold medal in the 17th Asian Games after ruling the BMX Moto Race at the Ganghwa Asiad BMX Track here.

Caluag finished first in all three runs. He clocked 35.27 seconds in the Moto 1 event then sustained his pole position in the Moto 2 round after finishing at 35.36 seconds.

"It's a great feeling. We're always doing it for the country. Hopefully, there's many more coming in from the boxers and other sports that have yet to start," said Caluag.

Caluag was the runaway winner in Moto 3 at 35.43 followed by China's Zhu Yan, who was 0.18 seconds behind.

"I tried to focus on what I needed to do, take it one race at a time," he added

Meanwhile, Daniel's brother Chris failed to sustain his third position from the first run, sliding out of the top three. He wound up at fourth overall.

Japan's Masahro Sampei came away as far second, collecting seven points after finishing second in both Moto 1 (35.44) and 2 (35.49) and third in the last round (36.10).

China's Zhu Yan ended up with the bronze after placing fifth (37.24), third (37.07) and second (35.61) in that order.