Werweran Katorse, Mangaldan, Pangasinan

• circuit race , 8 rounds of 18 km/ round totaling 144km
• race route : Mangaldan-San Jacinto-San Fabian-Mangaldan, Pangasinan
• 78 starters, 47 finishers

Based on experiences and observations, I realized that almost all races here in the Philippines, either one-day races, or multi-stage races, have the same story.  At the very start of the race, cyclists are running wild, attacking everywhere as if the finish line is just a few yards away. Very few races ended in a bunch sprint. Races were always won by break away leaders.
The Werweran Katorse Race in Mangaldan is no exception. As soon as the race starts, a number of cyclists were attacking left and right. The speed of the group on the climb was about 50kph. The attacks did not stop until 5 leaders break away, namely: Jojo Talaver, Erickson Obosa, Sherwin Carera, Rene Esteban, and Calosa. The 5 leaders gained 1 minute gap from the peloton where I belong. Since it is only the beginning of the race and the cyclists are still fresh and agitated, the group managed to catch the 5 escapees after 3 laps of hard chasing. I positioned myself up the front of the group and prepare myself for a break away because I know that there will be series of attacks from the members of different teams as soon as the 5 escapees were caught.  My assumption was proven true when Obosa gave a strong attack, followed by Carera. I checked the two and we managed to gain around 20-30 seconds gap from the peloton. We try to broaden the gap but Carera and Obosa started guarding each other as we approach the end of the 4^th lap. They were going to sprint for the 500, 300, and 200 Php prize for the intermediate sprint every lap. I decided not to contest them for the lap prize so I did the pacing to maintain our lead from the peloton. As soon as the two gave their all outsprinting each other at the end of the lap, Obosa taking the sprint, I gave out a strong attack that the two failed to check. I managed to maintain my solo break from the 5^th round at the speed of 40-45 kph, and survived it to the finish with a maximum gap of about 3 minutes. I clocked in 3hrs, 26 mins, 18 secs. The second runner up is Sherwin Carera followed by Mercullio Ramos Jr.