SEA Games: Salamat pedals her way to cycling gold

SINGAPORE—Cyclist Marella Vania Salamat pedaled her way to the gold in the women’s individual time trial of the 28th Southeast Asian Games.

The 21-year-old from Las Pinas crossed the line in 44 minutes and 46.38 seconds in the 30-kilometer race against the clock on the flat but scorching route at the Gardens By The Bay here.

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

“I guess it was the hard work that I had put in through the months,’’ said Salamat after emerging triumphant on her first international race.

Measuring her strength against the best male riders back home, the dentistry major from University of the East joined several local races and topped some of them.

“I had been racing with men since the Ronda (Pilipinas) qualifyings in Bacolod,’’ said Salamat.

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, another road race veteran, 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) and Vietnam’s Duc Tam Tranh secured the bronze medal in 55:39.20.

“I suffered from cramps on the final lap,’’ said Oranza.

They will race again Friday in the men’s criterium while Salamat goes for another gold in the women’s race.

Since the Ronda Visayas qualifier in Bacolod, Salamat said her clockings gradually improved along with training partner Avegail Rombaon.

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 most of the elite riders participated.

Originally posted: 11:40 AM June 11th, 2015