Today is the last and final leg of Cebu City 20-20 Gruppo Cyclista race. The final leg involves a 15-lap criterium wherein cyclists will be divided individually according to race classification - A, B, C and D for the beginners. 20-20 or ‘baynte baynte’ is a famous term for a cyclist who joins criterium races in Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City, SRP Talisay & Lantaw SRP. It is where the participants place their entrance fee of P20 in which the winner takes all and goes home with the pot money.
Team Sugbu Cyclista is a newly-organized group that is tasked to organize and maintain upcoming races in SRP. TSC is being supported by the Philippine Sports Commission through its new commissioner Ramon “El Presidente” Fernandez and Atty. Ramsey Quijano. This is a stepping stone for us to unite all the teams and have a solid Team Cebu for future national and hopefully international competitions, said Nino Abarquez.
There are 12 teams competing for this race. The top 3 teams leading are Team Pagay Construction, Team Keith De Fiebre and Team Amorganda. Other teams are Monas, Betterrun, Kalit, Wakwak, Skylogistics, Hoopsdome, Andot Sports, Kima Glass, Cebu Lingit and Metafit Tri Team.
Last October 22, the race kicked off with the Team Time Trial at the side road of Lantaw Restaurant in SRP. It was a 3-lap race with approximately 3-kilometer per lap. The profile was relatively flat terrain. Each team consists of 5 to 6 riders but only the 4th cyclist time to pass the finish line will be recorded. Strategy plays a key role in the TTT. The fastest time for this stage was 12 minutes 47 seconds while our team managed only 15 minutes and 23 seconds although we placed 2nd from the last.
It was a fun and chaotic day one for our METAFIT tri team. All of us had zero experience in road racing and in TTT set up. As you know, most of the triathlon races are individual and non draft legal, meaning a cyclist is not allowed to draft behind a cyclist and he should have at least 7 meters distance between each rider and 2 meters side by left and right. From the gun start, our team captain Fritz Co then carried the team to a blistering start at 50kph and after the turning point, all hell broke loose as our top 3 cyclists Kyrie, Romulo and Dandy broke away by averaging 40 to 45kph, leaving me, Fritz and Pico Pimentel behind. At the second turn around, I told the team to slow down and wait for the 4th cyclist. But as soon as we turn around, our captain instructed me to catch up the lead pack. And I finally caught up with them, I was expecting the lead pack to block the headwind and ride as a team but then again our lead pack broke loose again leaving me struggling just like in an individual time trial race. I lost my voice in trying to tell them to wait for me, reminding them the 4th cyclist time will be recorded. So on the last and final lap, our team finally rode like blue train with an verage speed of 40kph but it was too late. Nevertheless we had a lot of fun.
Day 2 was different. It was mountain stage and team time trial format. It is a short 8km route from Monastery in Nivel Hills Lahug to Delice Recipe Tops Cebu Tops Road, which is only around 573 meters above sea level. There will be a 4-minute gap between each team and 2 motorcycle escort will be guiding the cyclists until the finish line. Roads will not be closed but race marshal are spread over the entire route especially in the blind spot area. Our team has been riding in this route but during the race the pace is totally different. But thanks to our bike climbing lawyer Atty. Terence Fernandez, he carried the team on his back. Metafit Tri team finished 53 minutes and would have been faster if not for a mechanical problem. which costs us around 5 minutes.
The awarding will be held today after the race with all the special awards will be announced. Shirts will also be distributed courtesy of Three of ME.
Congratulations to Team Sugbu Cyclista for a job well done. Looking forward to more races under its fold.