Saipan Tribune

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Wednesday, October 03, 2012

Close races in Marchitti Challenge

Marchitti Challenge was already in the books with the top finishers of last Saturday's races posting close wins in their respective divisions.

In the men's road bike short course category, Noni Eugenio made it to the finish line at PauPau Beach at the 59:00 mark, just 21 seconds ahead of Renioe Gaviola. The third placer (name withheld) timed in at 1:00:20. Other finishers were Ariel Lansangan (1:02:52), Joel Felizar (1:06:48), Nelson Pagadian (1:08:51), and Wendel Ciano (1:16:00).

In the women's division, Angie Mister and Norma Ada crossed the finish line together, submitting 1:25:24, while Quyuhchi Nguyen came in at second with a time of 1:46:09.

In the long course, Nap Dizon delivered as expected, clocking in at 1:13:35, just over a minute faster than Willy Barbo, who logged 1:14:53. Cesar Fortaleza rounded out the Top 3 with his time of 1:15:38 and was followed by Ben Babauta (1:23:31), Paul Plunkett (1:25:52), Derek Chambers (1:26:39), and Joshua Berger (1:33:41).

Heather Kennedy was the lone female rider in the road bike long course category and completed the race in 1:26:25.

In the men's MTB short course, Jerome Diyco bested seven other bikers after posting 1:06:37. Edwin Calage and Jerome's father, Jay, came in at second and third with times of 1:09:05 and 1:13:49, respectively. Other finishers were Rosalio Quintos (1:13:09), Alexander Bateman (1:17:25), Samson Tan (1:31:08), Gerald Rangamar (1:3:42), and Steve Nutting (1:44:31).

In the MTB long course, Charlie Sendin stunned the favored Butch Sublemente, as the former timed in at 1:22:47 against the latter's 1:25:46. Tyce Mister completed the Top 3, tallying 1:33:33, just one second ahead of Larry Malig. Manny Sitchon also raced in the MTB long course division and clocked in at 1:48:46.

Over 30 riders joined the weekend event, which was supported by Tan Siu Lin Foundation, Pacific Islands Club, IT&E, Bike Pro, Powerade and Coca-Cola, D&Q Saipan, Gold's Gym, Safety First, Megabyte, Brabu Pharmacy, Saipan Sea Ventures, and Marianas High School students.

The MTB long course brought bikers to Banzai Cliff, Banzai Trail, Santa Clause Lane, Autobahn Trail, Bird Island, road to Suicide Cliff up to the top of Kimikaze Trail, back to Autobahn Trail, Santa Clauss Lane, Banzai Trail, and then to PauPau. For the MTB short course, riders cruised past the first five trails and then went to Grotto before returning to PauPau.

The road bike long course took a different route at the start of the race as bikers headed right to Mobil Station before going to Banzai, Bird Island, Grotto, Suicide Cliff, back to Banzai, and then to the start/finish line. The road bike short course had the same direction, but bikers did not go to Suicide Cliff and headed back to Banzai and PauPau after the Grotto trip.