The Victorious One

Werweran Katorse, Mangaldan, Pangasinan

Filed under: Races — Victor March 14, 2007 @ 12:38 pm

  • 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 4th 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 5th 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.

A New Bike In My Stable

Filed under: Bike Talk — Victor March 9, 2007 @ 3:36 am

Cycling is much like equestrian. An equestrian rider can not excel on a bad horse, like a cyclist can not succeed on a terrible bike. No matter how good the rider is, nor the cost of the equipment is – the rapport of the rider with his bike is still the x factor. A cyclist can ride any bike, can perform tricks on other’s bike, and even win races on his teammate’s bike, but can not perform as well unlike on his own beloved bike.

 cannondale bike

I am a competitive cyclist for 16 years now, or more than half of my life. Although, I have a number of bikes and frames, about 10 different foreign brands and 5 locally custom-made, there are favorites and memorable that I treasured more than the others. These are the bikes I rode my very best and brought home with me success and honor. These are the bikes that I am most comfortable, I am most confident, and I feel most supreme. My winning bikes that brings sweet and victorious moments. (more…)

Bisikleta o Libro? At Ang Mga Pangarap Ko

Filed under: Point of View — Victor @ 3:20 am

 

Individual Time Trial Vietnam Sea Games

 

Sa mga recent posts sa PCN, thread ng pro-cycling result makikita ang dahilan ng pag sir ko sa lahat ng members. Ako ay nabibilang sa mga siklista na pinili ang cycling sa halip na mag-aral.Umabot ako ng 2nd year college ng mechanical engineering. Hindi ko na nakayanan tapusin dahil sa sobrang pagod mula sa pageensayo. Alam ko na marami ang kasali sa group na nalagay sa parehong sitwasyon at pinili ang mas logical na option na tapusin ang pagaaral, at sa kabutihan palad ay naging successful naman sa buhay. At ngayon, ay nagbibisekleta ng di dahil sa premyo, o para sumikat, kundi dahil talagang hilig at masaya ang pakiramdam sa pagbabike. Na malaking kaibahan sa karamihan ng mga professional cyclists. Na normal ng hindi nakatapos ng high school. Na ang kadalasan na nagiging trabaho ay magdyaryo, magmessenger, maglagarista, o magmekaniko ng bisikleta, mayroon din magsasaka, at kung papalarin ay sundalo, kung saan ako nabibilang. Halos lahat ay bread winner ng pamilya. (more…)

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