Favorites rule Porac Bike King duathlon

ROBENO Javier made sure he’s in top shape this time to capture the Bike King Duathlon championship yesterday at Alviera in Porac, Pampanga.

Fresh from an overseas race, Javier topped the male elite division of the 6K run-60K bike-4K run with a time of two hours, seven minutes and 58 seconds.

“I just came back from a tournament in Switzerland and was not really in good shape for that race,” said Javier. “That’s why I really worked hard in training for this race.”

Philippine team mainstay Mirasol Abad bucked fatigue to rule the female elite with a 2:37:53 clocking.

“I had a hard time competing because this is my fourth race this month,” said Abad. “I’m just glad that I was able to build a slight lead after the bike and managed to protect it in the final run.”

Javier’s Standard Insurance teammate Joey Delos Reyes and Sante Barley’s Robinson Esteves rounded out the podium finishers in the male elite.

Miscelle Gilbuena and Sante Barley’s Rowena Valdez also settled for runner-up finishes in the distaff side. Jasmine W. Payo

OTHER TOP 3 FINISHERS: Mervin Santiago, Gabriele Allen Santiago, Xy James Dacayanan, 18-24; Christopher Iblan, Oscar Miguel Mapalo, Julius Panopio, 25-29; Jethro Karl Ramos, Timmy Santos, Ralph Jerome Salvador, 30-34; Edison Morales, Alfred Gonzales, Adrian Ocampo, 35-39; Edward Luna, Junrox Roque, Dennis Manuel Sianghio, 40-44; John Thomas Gonzales, Raul Leorex Gaerland, John Villanueva, 4549; David Richmond, Mike Caragay, Eduardo Francisco, 50-54; Thomas Kuhne, Nol Espino and Killy Kunimoto, 55-above; FEMALE WINNERS—Catherine Mae Vergara, 18-24; Michelle Vinluan, 25-29; Jayline Balatibat, 30-34; Rena Marte, 35-39