MULTI-TITLED Cebuano rider Jun Duron is excited to compete against some of the riders he looks up to when he joins the Asian Mountain Bike Series – East Ridge Sandugo International Mountain Bike Challenge this coming March 9 to 11 in Binangonan, Rizal.
Duron will strut his wares against the elite riders, and it will be his first time to join the division since 2016, when he finished 22nd in the Tour de Timor in East Timor.
“It will be great to go against my idols Kohie Yamamoto from Japan and Kirill Kasantzev from Kazakhstan, both of whom are pro elite riders who’ll compete in the World Cup,” said Duron.
Yamamoto is a Japanese Olympian who has competed in the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics while Kasantzev is a professional cyclist who has had international stints, including the Asian Mountain Bike Cup in his home country last November, wherein he won.
He added that he will also compete against Danao City’s Niño Surban, whom he also considers his idol.
“It is a dream come true to compete with the best,” said the Talisaynon as he prepares for the grueling 28.5-kilometer race.
He said that he isn’t predicting a podium finish but he did say he would want to enjoy the race as much as possible. He did say, though, that landing within the top 10 would be a bonus.
Last February 17, Duron topped the 30-39 category of the Mountain Bike XC Eliminator in the Malolos Bike Festival in Bulacan. He also competed in the 7-11 Trail Series in Timberland Heights, San Mateo, Rizal the next day.