Calla second twice, paces Aboitiz tour

FLASHING fine form, Von Dutch rider Ricky Calla came through with a big effort in the individual time trial and criterium races on Saturday to strengthen his bid for the overall title in the 2013 Aboitiz Power Tour of Subic.

Calla, racing in Category 3, registered a pair of runner-up finishes in the 20-kilometer ITT and 40K Criterium race, pushing him to top spot overall before Sunday’s 90K road race.

Coming off a victory in the 20K ITT race in the Tour of Clark last month, Calla timed 28 minutes and 24.53 seconds. He clocked 54:47.89 in the criterium race in the afternoon.

Von Dutch rider, Jessie Tan, timed 28:24:53, while Von Dutch B’s Ivan Leopando ruled the criterium in 54:47.66 in the event organized by Bike King Philippines and co-sponsored by AboitizPower and SN-Aboitiz Power Group.

Gergo Bota held fort in Category 4 after ruling the first two stages, even as Marella Vania Salamat and Marita Lucas of David’s Salon posted podium finishes in the women’s class.

Bota timed 30:41.30 in the ITT and 53:56.34 in the criterium.

Salamat clocked 32:54 to rule the ITT. But she fell short in the criterium, losing to Lucas, who won in 52:35.23. Cedelf P. Tupas