Top podium honors for strong climbers

TAGAYTAY – Nichol Pareja topped the Elite class and Jonel Carcueva ruled the Under 23 category of the grueling men’s road race of the PhilCycling National Championships for Road 2022 on Friday.

What started as an easy ride for the 123 riders (79 Elite) turned enormous as they negotiated two strength-sapping climbing passes – first the Agoncillo ascent that splintered the peloton and second, the short but cruel Sungay Road separating Talisay in Batangas and this resort city sitting on a ridge with a fantastic view of Taal Volcano.

“When I saw the opportunity, I didn’t let it slip away,” said Pareja, riding for 7-Eleven Roadbike Philippines who finished the 137-km grind that started and finished at the Praying Hands Monument here in three hours, 19 minutes and 54 seconds.

Pareja’s teammate, the veteran Marcelo Felipe, kept him company most of the Sungay climb but had to settle for the silver medal after crossing the finish in front of an enthusiastic crowd 14 seconds later.

Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance’s Jhon Mark Camingao crossed a tad behind Felipe in the centerpiece event of the championships organized by PhilCycling and Philippine Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham Tolentino and co-presented by Standard Insurance, MVP Sports Foundation and Smart.

Carcueva was a warrior on the saddle, too.

The Scratch It! bet was fifth overall, but was the best Under 23 rider.

“It was tough, I had to really focus especially in the climb,” said Pareja, shortly after completing the race in the championships calendared by the International Cycling Union (UCI).

Pareja finished in 3:20:11.401, almost 50 seconds ahead of sister teammate Jericho Jay Lucero of Go for Gold.

Rench Michael Bondoc was the third podium finisher for 7-Eleven, checking in four seconds behind Lucero.