Cooperation of motorists requested

Organizers of the 2nd Annual Hell of the Marianas Century Cycle are asking for the cooperation of motorists during the races this Saturday.

More than 70 riders are expected to join the 100-kilometer race that will allow on- and off-island cyclists to cruise the island.

With bikers cycling through Saipan’s flat, hilly, and steep roads, motorists are advised to take extra caution from 6:30am to 9:30am on the northbound lane of Isa Drive near San Vicente, Papago, Kagman, and Capitol Hill.

Race organizers said cones will be placed on the road to indicate bike lanes.

For additional safely measures, Pacific Islands Club, which is the main organizer of this weekend’s race, is also asking the public to restrain their dogs.

This Saturday’s races will have Saipan riders competing against cyclist from Guam and Korea.

Races will have three competitions, namely the individual 100-km race, two-person relay team, and the four-person relay.

Eli Torgeson is the defending champion in the individual race, while Last Minute Entry and Beezlebub Bikers were last year’s winners in the two-person and four-person relays, respectively.

Participants in this year’s Hell of Marianas are asked to be at PIC’s south parking lot at 5:15am for the race briefing. Races will kick off at 6:15am.

Riders will start from PIC’s parking lot and head north to the Chalan Piao intersection, make a U-turn back to the start and proceed south into the village of Koblerville toward the Saipan International Airport. From the airport, the cyclists will ride uphill toward the eastern fringes of the island, through the residential villages of San Vicente, Papago, and Kagman toward the Laolao Bay Golf Resort. From the golf course, the bikers will proceed north on Isa Drive and descend down to the Kingfisher Golf Course entrance, and make the U-turn, scaling the long, windy road uphill to Capitol Hill. At the bottom of Capitol Hill, the course converges on Chalan Pale Arnold Road to the next checkpoint high atop Radar Hill in As Matuis. The last portion of the race will bring riders to the historical sites of Suicide Cliff, Bird Island, Grotto, and Banzai Cliff before they head back along Beach Road and to PIC’s finish line.

The top finisher in the men’s and women’s open will win $1,000 each and a five-day/four-night Gold Stay for two at PIC Saipan. Second placers will receive $350 each and a two-day/one-night stay for two at PIC Guam, while the third finishers will take home $250 each and a two-day/one-night stay for two at PIC Saipan.

This year’s Hell of Marianas is sponsored by Aon Insurance, Aquarius Beach Tower, Asia Scooters, Chung Nam Corp., Coca Cola, COP, Deloitte, DFS, DPS, G4S, Hornet, Joeten Ent., JWS, Kautz Glass, KL Carr, MVA, NMIFA, PIC Boutiki, PIC Guam, PTC, PTI, Shell, Sunset Dinner Cruise, Taga Inc., Tinian Dynasty, Triple J 5 Star Saipan, and WDI Saipan.