Mendoza, Martin virtual shoo-ins for national junior cycling team

Marcryan Mendoza and Aljim Martin came through with performances worthy of a spot in the national junior team.

The 17-year-old Mendoza, son of veteran cyclist and duathlete Ryan Mendoza, topped the individual time trial in the juniors category of the Philcycling-Go For Gold National Youth and Junior Trials in Tagaytay City.

“My dad is a time trialist. I guess I inherited the skill from him,” said Mendoza in Filipino after clocking 18 minutes and 6.55 seconds in conquering the uphill 13-kilometer route.

Doubly fulfilling was the fact that Mendoza again showed he’s the better all-around rider than Efren Reyes Jr. for the second straight race.

Reyes, who lost to Mendoza in a wild dash to the line in a 78-km road race on Thursday, wound up second, 48 seconds slower, while Rench Michael Bondoc finished third, 1:18 seconds back.

Selecting Mendoza and Reyes for the national junior squad was easy for Go For Gold top executive Jeremy Go, project director Ednalyn Hualda and Philcycling after both riders placed 1-2 in both races.

Ean Cajucom of Go For Gold arrived 1:20 behind Mendoza for fourth place followed by Landerson Nebres (1:21 behind), Zylex Castillo (1:36), Jhonbyron Lucero (1:49), Teodoro Pablo Jr. (1:58), Rommel Evangelista (2:01) and Sajed Renz Pulayan (2:09).

Martin was the runaway champion in the 14-15 youth division after completing the 11-km race in 13:49.60 seconds.