Over 150 racers comprised of individual enthusiasts to members of topnotch cycling teams in Cebu will be vying in today’s Kadaugan sa Mactan Criterium Race at the Hoopsdome in Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City.
The event features nine categories — Golden 50+ & 60+, 35-Above, 35-Below, 21-Under, All Women, MTB Open, MTB Lapu-Lapu, Fatbike and Open Road division.
This event was organized by the Hoopsdome Cycling Club with the help of Keith DeFiebre Cycling Team, two of the top cycling teams in the Visayas region especially in Cebu.
The Keith DeFiebre Cycling Team was formed two years ago by Keith DeFiebre, a 51-year-old cycling professional from California, USA, who had 531 victories throughout his racing career. And, just like their mentor, the Cebuano team has promising talents after winning more than 75 races last year in the Visayas region.
“We have had an amazing success. I wanted to support young racers who are very special in Cebu,” Keith DeFiebre told Cebu Daily News. “I know a lot about racing after doing it so many times. Now I wanted to help talented racers from Cebu through my team,” he added.
The Keith DeFiebre Cycling Team will be fielding Moira Erediano of Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City’s Dongkey Sanchez, Rhyke Armas and Melvin Codoy of Balamban, Nilo Barbalose, Nikko Otadoy and Justin Fernandez from Toledo City as well as Pamela Jane Ruiz, Lucille Ruiz and Manuel Pedroza of Cebu City.
As confirmed by DeFiebre, Ruiz just got recruited by the Philippine national team. She will be joining another Cebuano, Niño Surban, in the 24th Asian Mountain Bike Championships which is slated on May 4 in Danao City.
“In racing, it is hard to say who will win. So I asked my team to prepare well to compete and show sportsmanship,” DeFiebre shared. “This Sunday’s (today) event will not be easy but we will try to win.”
Other high-caliber participants of this event are Navarro Elmar, Jonel Carcueva, Jhunvie and Jaybop Pagnanawan and Itok Wararakamot.
The race will be circuit-type covering 12 laps for each category.