By MARK REY MONTEJO
Veteran Shagne Yaoyao and Adrian Nacario shared the limelight by topping their respective cross-country categories in the first-ever ACF ASEAN Mountain Bike Championship in Passi, IloIlo over the weekend.
As expected, the 27-year-old Yaoyao banked on her experience to cross the line in 1 hour, 27 minutes and 35 seconds to beat out 9 other rivals and become the first-ever women’s elite champion.
The country’s top female biker was followed by Malaysia’s Phi Kun Pan (1:28:33) and Nur Deena Safia Nor Effandy (1:34:47), who clinched the silver and bronze, respectively. Thailand’s Supuksorn Nuntana (1:36:16) and PH’s Adel Pia Sendrijas (1:39:16) wound up fourth and fifth.
Nacario, 21, finished tied with Thai Phunsiri Sirimongkhon for first but the Ilonggo pride managed to clinch the crown as he outsprinted him in the 27.3 event.
Nacario timed in 1:19:15.
Sirimongkhon settled for silver while James Carl Dela Cruz (1:19.42) took home the bronze.
With their wins, Yaoyao and Nacario earned 30 UCI points.
Meanwhile in men’s junior class, John Andre Aguja, 18, reigned after clocking 58 minutes and 41 seconds.
Aguja, AN MTB back-to-back king in Thailand, finished ahead of fellow Filipino John Raymart Palec (1:01:08) and Malaysian Muhammad Effam Wafiy Nor Effandy (1:03:31), who got the silver and bronze honors.
