Javier, Fornea Sante Barley duathlon champs

MANILA, Philippines—An extra lap in the bike leg hardly mattered for Robeno Javier, the country’s top male duathlete, as he and Mary Pauline Fornea ruled the Elite races in the Sante Barley Domination duathlon Clark International Speedway in Pampanga recently.

The 31-year-old Javier pushed himself hard in the final run leg to prevail despite coming into the bike  transition in the second pack with three others.

“The bike leg was supposed to be a 10-lap race but I did 11,” said Javier. “There were two guys already starting their run but I was confident that I would still be able to catch up with them and win.”

He negotiated the 4K run-40K bike-4K run race in one hour, 36 minute and 33 seconds.

Checking in second was veteran cyclist Dante Cagas in 1:37:06 followed by Jeff Valdez in 1:37:41.

Sante Barley’s Mervin Santiago, who along with Allen Santiago came out first and second in the second transition, actually posted the second best time of 1:37:01. Santiago, however, was adjudged the winner in the 18-24 age group.

Twenty-year-old Fornea, who raced under the banner of Standard Insurance-Philippine Navy along with Robeno, emerged fastest in the distaff side with a 1:48:30 clocking.

Rowena Valdez claimed second place in 1:55:18 with Franchesca Diane Gutierrez finishing third in 2:35:45.

Ricky Calla (49:05), Victor  Viray (50:16:16) and King Lopez (41:55) topped the men’s category 2, 3 and 4 Criterium race, respectively.