Salamat geared up for SEA Games by outkicking men

CYCLIST Marella Vania Salamat holds up the flag after winning a gold medal. RAFFY LERMA

SINGAPORE—On the road almost daily the past four months, Marella Vania Salamat kept her focus on achieving the ultimate goal.

“I was really aiming for the gold even if this was my first race out of the country,” said Salamat Thursday after the 21-year-old from Las Piñas crossed the payoff line in 44 minutes and 46.38 seconds to win the 30-kilometer race-against-the-clock on the flat but scorching route at Gardens By The Bay here.

Thailand’s Chanpeng Nontasin pocketed the silver in 45:32.34 and Singapore’s Dinah Chan, winner of the event in the 2013 Burma (Myanmar) edition, placed third in 47:44.91.

“I guess it was the [result of the] hard work that I put in through the months,” said Salamat.

The 21-year-old dentistry major from University of the East began her quest by riding against faster and stronger male rivals in local races.

She participated as a guest rider along with Avegail Rombaon in the punishing qualifying stages of the Ronda Pilipinas and the four-day Le Tour de Filipinas.

“I traveled over a thousand kilometers on my bike, and I made sure that when I race, I compete with the toughest,” said Salamat.

She placed fourth overall in the Tour of Subic, a male-dominated race, and won the women’s division of the Vuelta De Dagupan a few months back.

Salamat’s biggest local achievement, however, was winning the final lap of the two-stage Tour de Tarlac three weeks ago where the majority of the elite riders participated. She was entered in the master’s division.

Meanwhile, three-time Tour champion Mark Galedo relinquished his ITT crown after placing sixth (56:21.59) in the men’s side that covered four laps on a 40-kilometer pathway.

Ronald Oranza finished third (56:00.34) in the race won by Indonesia’s Robin Manullang (53:47.57).

Thailand’s Boonratanathanakorn finished second (54:47.57).