Barrios, Ferrer top Pedal for Health road race

A pair of Js—J.R. Barrios and J.C. Ferrer—topped the road bike division of the Saipan Unity Lions Club Pedal for Health Criterium Yearend Bike Race last Sunday in Marpi.

Barrios nipped Nap Dizon and Bob Ferrer in the 50-kilometer men’s category that had bikers pedal three times around the Last Command Post-Mobil Tanapag-Last Command Post route.

The 40-year-old C&R Corp. employee crossed the finish line in 1:12.58 followed closely by Dizon and Ferrer with times of 1:12.59 and 1:13.00, respectively.

Meanwhile, J.C Ferrer was the lone racer in the women’s division and finished with a time of 1:27:07.

The 40-year-old Barrios said the hardest part of the race was that it rained all the time. He was just glad that all the bikers helped each other by taking turns at the head of the peloton to help with the drafting.

He then dedicated his win in the Pedal for Health Criterium Yearend Bike Race to his family and Team C&R.

Like Barrios, J.C. Ferrer said the hardest part of the race was the rain.

“It was very slippery, while going downhill was the easiest because you’re going fast.”

The 18-year-old Marianas High School senior then dedicated her victory to her father Bob, who’s her “forever coach and partner in biking” and added that the Pedal for Health race was good practice for next week’s Hell of Marianas Century Race, “because we don’t have enough time to train.”

Results of the mountain bike division and age group winners will be published in tomorrow’s issue of Saipan Tribune.

Proceeds from the Saipan Unity Lions Club Pedal for Health Criterium Yearend Bike Race will be used to fund the Lions Club Global cause to cure children’s cancer, prevent diabetes, and feed the hungry.

Event’s sponsors include Herman’s Bakery, Marpac, K.L. Carr Enterprises, Hongs Hardware, The Water Company, Chow Time Restaurant, and Atoy Bangting and other SULC members.