This 2016 photo shows action in the Philippine National Championships Mountain Bike Asian Invitational held in Danao City.
CEBU CITY, Philippines—The third and final leg of the “Race Against Drugs & Bike To Stay Healthy Against Covid” of the Danao City Sports Commission (DCSC) Cycling Team will be held on March 28, 2021, in Barangay Sandayong Sur in Danao City, northern Cebu.
DCSC chief and Philcycling vice president Oscar “Boying” Rodriguez told CDN Digital that they are deeply flattered by the Cebuano riders who took part in the three-leg mountain bike (MTB) series after amassing 370 participants in the second leg.
“Pasalamat kaayo ko sa mga local riders nato nga ni participate aning atong mountainbike series kay successful kaayo atong event despite the COVID-19 pandemic,” Rodriguez told CDN Digital.
Starting with 160 participants in the first leg last January, they gathered twice the number in the second leg last February 28.
“We’re lucky here in Cebu that we’re open for events like this,” Rodriguez said.
Talent search
Rodriguez clarified, though, that they will be limiting the number of participants to 300 in the last leg to make sure social distancing and other health and safety protocols will be followed accordingly.
“I am just taking advantage of the opportunity to hold an event like this so that we will have a chance to discover potential talents who we may be able to send to the Southeast Asian Games,” Rodriguez added.
At the moment, Rodriguez said there are already ten junior riders they are training for the national team for the biennial event.
“They are kept on their toes and ready for big competitions. In fact, they are ready for the national open this coming June. They are always ready for any competition,” Rodriguez said.
Leading the points in the elite division of this MTB race is 2019 SEA Games silver medalist Niño Surban, who has 20 points.
Read: Surban tops second leg of Danao MTB race
Rande Carbonera (18) and Jorice Mark Zabate (15) are at second and third, respectively.
In the women’s division, Shagne Yaoyao leads with 20 points trailed by Pamela Jane Ruiz and Lucille Ruiz tied at the second and third spots with 17 points apiece.
The top placer in each division gets 10 points, while second and third placers get 9 and 8, respectively.
Registration for the last leg is done online at the DCSC Cycling Team Facebook page. Registration fee is pegged at P150. /bmjo