First National Criterium Grand Prix: 7th Filipino Chinese Friendship Day Cycling Race

Venue: Eastwood, Libis, Pasig City

Open Elite Category 30 minutes + 5 laps; approximately 1km/lap

Sprint King : the cyclist who will gather the most number of points in intermediate sprints

 June 10, 2007. Sunday. It was less than two weeks after the Padyak Pinoy 2007. Dahil sa sobrang busy schedule, medyo pagod pa ako at unprepared. But backing out from the race was far from my mind. I was invited to join by the organizers months ago. At matagal na din ako umoo sa kanila and even confirmed my participation when they asked me again a week ago. Without any expectation, I joined National Criterium Grand Prix spearheaded by Sir Ric Rodriguez and Sir Jack Yabut.

The race started around noon. Mabilis ang simula ng karera since everybody likes to have points in intermediate sprint. This was the first time I race in the highly technical course. At first, I merely floated in the group as I study and familiarize myself in the route.  It was already half of the race but I was still in the group, hanggang sa nahati ang grupo pagkatapos ng isang sprint. We were 6 riders in the first group. A rider attacked after the sprint. I waited for a reaction among the others but nobody checked so I decided to chase the lone rider ahead. Nang abutan ko ang rider sa harap, I decided na ituloy na ang break hanggang sa huli. Last 5 laps, di pa rin nagbago ang gap namin 2 break away sa 3 chasers. Last lap, dinala ko na. I gave an all out sprint to the finish in the last 400m. I bagged the first place, followed by Warren Davadilla. Third placer was Marc Aleonar, 4th was Elmo Ramos, 5th was Irish Valenzuela. The sprint king was Warren Davadilla.\

*Photos courtesy of Mr. Ric Rodriguez and can be seen in the gallery, Click here*