Japanese wins women’s crown; HK Olympian DNF

Yasue Nakahara pumps her fist after crossing the finish line first in the women’s division of last Saturday’s 11th Hell of the Marianas Century Cycling Race. (Jon Perez)

Japan’s Yasue Nakahara overcame the Saipan heat and an early crash to rule the women’s pro/elite division of the 11th Hell of the Marianas Century Cycling Race held last last Saturday.

The 31-year-old, a native of Higashihiroshima City in Hiroshima Prefecture, came in 18th overall and was the 17th pro to finish the race that started and ended at the Mariana Report & Spa. Nakahara’s winning time was 4:01:51 as she joined the ranks of five-time champion Mieko Carey of Guam (2008, 2010, 2014-16), three-peat titlist Jodie Willett (2011-13) and Amber Halliday (2009) of Australia, and Guam’s Susan Seay (2007) by having her name inscribed on HOM’s perpetual trophy.

Nakahara’s much-awaited battle with two-time Olympian Jamie Wong fizzled out after the Hong Kong bet failed to finish the 115-kilometer race due to mechanical problems on her bike and a flat tire.

Nakahara also had her misfortunes early in the race, as she crashed with four other cyclists around the 30K mark of the course when she was heading out of the Bird Island Lookout-Grotto turnaround.

“I did not notice that there was someone in front of me. I could not avoid him, it was too late, and four of us crashed. I was focused and concentrating with my ride that’s why I failed to notice the rider,” said Nakahara minutes after crossing the finish line.

Nakahara, who was surprised to learn that Olympian Wong also joined last weekend’s event, suffered a huge cut on her right arm, and other bruises to her knees and feet. After the early crash, she even thought of dropping out of the race, but had a change of heart.

“I didn’t. I just got on my bike and restarted,” the Japanese said.

Nakahara, who rides for Maaslandster International Women’s Cycling Team of The Netherlands in the 2018 season of the European Tour, said the course layout and the extra 15K really pushed her.

“It was a hard and challenging course. It was also a little bit slippery. There are portions where you’re going to make climbs and you must also learn to control while going downhill. This is a good course for those who want to challenge themselves,” she added.

Hong Kong’s Chau Yu Ng stepped in for Wong, but could not catch Nakahara and settled for second place with a time of 4:32:50, while Sang Mi Oh of South Korea was a far third at 5:36:37.

The other female finishers were in the age group of the road bike and MTB divisions, Guam’s Kristian Ingvarsson (40-44) clocked in at 4:15:12 followed by Tsang Hiu Tung of Hong Kong (20-29) with a time of 4:29:20, and South Korean Myung Sook Lee (55-59), who reached the finish line in 4:48:05.

Hong Kong’s Jcy Ho topped the 30-39 age group (4:48:30) ahead of Saipan’s Ayano Braxton (5:16:52). Local bet Emily Northrop was second to Tung in the 20-29 age division with a time of 5:14:55. Kimiko McKagan competed in the road bike and conquered the course in 5:26:22, while Glorybel Tan was in the MTB’s 40-44 division and completed the race in 5:59:25.