Nuvali Dirt Weekend features cross-country bike marathon

THE COUNTRY’S first cross-country marathon championship highlights the Nuvali Dirt Weekend 2014 from Nov. 21 to 23 at the sprawling Nuvali bike trail in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Aiming to draw more elite riders, the National Championships for Cross Country Marathon features a grueling 80K mountain bike trail that’s expected to be the toughest yet in the annual event that draws over 2,000 cyclists.

“Many are into this sport and it’s really competitive,” said Vittorio “Oyo Boy” Sotto, president of Victorious One, which partnered with Nuvali in organizing this year’s biggest biking event.

Open to riders aged 19 and above, the race will not only have the cross country crown up for grabs, but also Union Cyclist International (UCI) points for the male and female elite participants.

Other events are the four-cross race and the 30K cross country race for the elite and age-group (19-below, 20-29, 30-39, 40-above) competitors.

Listing ends on Oct. 31 at Sabak branches in Makati, Sta. Rosa and Alabang, Bike Line, Ross, John Wilkie Bike Shop, 777 Bike Hub and Papi’s Ride Bike.

In the four-cross race, four riders at a time take on the tracks with the top two gaining the next round. Jasmine W. Payo