Reyes tops Tour of Subic
ROAD RACE rookie Kristian Reyes edged his closest pursuers by a bike’s length to rule the premier Category 2 title in the AboitizPower Tour of Subic Sunday on Maritan Highway in Subic Bay.
Picking up the sport just last year, the 17-year-old Reyes beat AboitizPower teammate Jason Comandante and Team Excellent Noodles’ Resty Aragon in a thrilling finish with a time of two hours, 34 minutes and 29 seconds.
Reyes, an incoming college freshman at Far Eastern U, said the three-kilometer uphill climb near Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was the toughest in the gruelling 90 km race.
“I knew if I get past that, I have a good chance,” Reyes said in Filipino.
Last year’s champion Joey Delos Reyes settled for 14th place overall with a 2:37:24 clocking.
Michelle Barnachea bagged the Female Open title in 3:04:34 despite a four-year absence in the event.
“The race was tough because of the uphill climb and I’m a sprinter,” said the 27-year-old Barnachea, who pipped Mari Maligaya of Sante Barley and Irish Mae Wong of Corratec.
Last year’s champion Marella Vania Salamat competed in Category 3 and finished fourth with a time of 2:34:12.
Ricky Pedrina ruled Category 3 (2:34:10), while Jhay-R Sotto topped the Category 4 Novice division (2:45:14). Jasmine W. Payo
