Joland Olmilla raises his mountain bike in celebration during the awarding ceremony of the 1st Consolacion Mountain Bike Duathlon at SM Consolacion in Consolacion town, northern Cebu.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Cebuano duathlete and national team member Joland Olmilla continued his strong start to the year as he survived a tough duel with a fellow Cebuano athlete to win the men’s open elite division of the 1st Consolacion Mountain Bike Duathlon at SM Consolacion, northern Cebu.
The Mandaue City-native Olmilla edged out lone Filipino XTERRA Pro Joseph Miller in a tightly contested race, winning another title after helping the Rider Omega Pro Triathlon Team win the team challenge in his triathlon debut last month in the 2017 Tri United Series in Subic.
The 24-year-old Olmilla timed one hour, 27 minutes and 57 seconds, just 41 seconds ahead of Miller, who ended the race in one hour, 28 minutes and 38 seconds.
“I won because I had a strong start in the running part of the race. I was leading in the first run but Miller was able to catch up with me in the bike part. Fortunately, I beat him in the final run of the race,” a relieved Olmilla told Cebu Daily News.
Olmilla credited proper workout and the needed support from his sponsors that played a crucial role to his successful start of the year.
“I train every day. I just take a rest two days before the event,” said Olmilla.
Completing the top five in the men’s open division were Sulpicio Ombay (1:38:11), Fletcher Pilapil (1:38:38) and Nick Malom (1:50:15) who finished third, fourth and fifth respectively.
After the victory, Olmilla will have a little time to celebrate as he gears up for the Tayud Duathlon slated next Sunday in Tayud, Consolacion and the Durian Davao Triathlon on April 23.
On the other hand, Lucille Ruiz of Consolacion town dominated the women’s elite division, breasting the tape at 2:16:49, way ahead of Hannah Bun (2:19:29) and Pamela Jane Ruiz (2:21:52) who bagged the second and third places, respectively.