Butuan's Riemon Lapaza Topped 2022 UCI Gravel World Series Philippines
With some of the most inspired riding
and trying tracks in a race this year, the 2022 UCI Gravel World Series
Philippines is in the books, literally in the history books, as being the
starting point of the first-ever race series of its kind under the Union Cycliste
Internationale (UCI).
The multi-nation, multiple-leg race series kicked off last
April 3, 2022 in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, a picturesque municipality that has
become a favorite destination within the global biking community for the past
few years.
After enduring the dirt
road with a flat tire near the finish line, Butuan native Riemon Lapaza emerged as the top
placer of the Philippine leg in all categories, clocking in 3:06:46.7. The
champion of the men’s 35-39 years old category was trailed behind by Netherlands’ Rick Nobel, who placed first in the men’s 19-34 category.
Mellisa Jane Jaroda topped
the women’s 19-34 category, and ranked first among female racers with
3:39:00.639.
Close to 400 riders were in attendance, all vying for the
chance to finish the 85-km race. Each qualifier was awarded with a finisher
medal, and 25% of each rider category earned a UCI qualifying medal and
automatically made it to the UCI World Championships.
Participants from the
Philippines and the rest of the world powered through all the ascents, river crossings, water features,
and everything else that Bongabon’s legendary terrain put in front of them.
As Vic Narciso, one of the
riders, described the journey as he crosses the finish line, “it was the most
challenging and violent race I’ve ever done, but I can’t stop smiling.”
Ann Aleonar, who has been racing since 2010, shared that
she was overwhelmed with gratitude. “I took a 5-year break from racing, and
anyone who’s raced knows that it isn’t easy to come back – especially up to
racing level,” Aleonar said. “And then the pandemic happened, it really wasn’t
easy. When I actually finished and qualified, the first feeling I felt was
gratefulness.”
The Philippine leg attracted competitors from Europe and
Asia, who not only found victory here in the country, but a biking scene that
welcomed them with open arms. Tokyo’s Junro Nagashima of cycling team Roppongi
Express, said that he was not surprised at how friendly the Filipino riders
were, but that he was surprised at how comfortable they all made him and his
teammate feel. Rick Nobel from the Netherlands, who placed first in the 19-34
Male category, was also seen smiling from ear-to-ear, in the midst of his newfound
friends within the local riding community. Jared Hui, a rider from Singapore,
wrote a long
testimony on Facebook about how
local MTB legend Bans Mendoza lent him his personal bike after he realized that
his own two-wheeler wasn’t the right setup for the race.
Bongabon Mayor Allan Gamilla also made an appearance and
expressed gratitude to the organizers for tapping Bongabon, Nueva Ecija as the
first and only Asian leg in the 2022 UCI Gravel World Series. “This is a big
boost for Bongabon as a destination for sports tourism. We hope to make use of
the municipality’s potential to help promote the country, and further establish
it as major global hub for gravel riding.”
These were just a few of
the stories of how an amazing sporting event brings all kinds of people
together, with everyone leaving the venue with full hearts already asking about
the next race. Clearly, in more ways than one, UGWSPH made its mark.
For the full results of the
2022 UCI Gravel World Series Philippines, visit www.wjctiming.com/main-result. You may also follow UGWSPH on Facebook and Instagram.
Post a Comment