Weather to level playing field as local aces hope to upend foreign competitors

National team racers hope to make the most out of their home advantage against an elite foreign cast in the 2017 Powerman Philippines Asian Championships on Oct. 8 at Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

Top Philippine bet John Chicano, who placed second in last year’s edition in Putrajaya, Malaysia, hopes to snatch the crown from Australian defending champion Thomas Bruin.

“The challenge for many [foreign racers] is the hot racing condition,” said Raymund Magdaluyo, chief executive officer F&F International Events Group, Inc. “Our guys are used to the weather.”

But there’s another motivation in the gruelling run-bike-run event—the race will serve as qualifier for the 2019 Powerman World Championships in Zofingen, Switzerland.

“The ultimate goal is to send our top Filipino athlete to the World Championships,” Kaye Lopez, Powerman Philippines general manager, said in a press conference Wednesday at Privé, Bonifacio Global City.

Mirasol Abad, who placed third last year, heads the local female bets in the elite race featuring a 10K run-60K bike-10K run distance.

The race will kick off at the Clark parade grounds. For registration details, visit www.powerman.ph.