LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Cyclist Rustom Lim of Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija emerged as the champion in the 1st “I Love Pangasinan” Cycling Classic sponsored by the provincial government on Sunday.
In topping the race, Lim was followed by Nelson Martin also of Nueva Ecija and Jay Lampawog of Villasis town in second and third place, respectively.
The top three finishers went home with the following prizes: Champion-P20,000 plus trophy; 1st runner-up-P15,000 plus trophy; and 2nd runner-up-P10,000 plus trophy.
The event traversed 192 kilometers from the starting point at the Maramba Boulevard in Lingayen through the coastal towns of Labrador, Sual, Alaminos City, Bani, Agno, Burgos, Dasol, Infanta and back.
Lampawog was first to reach all three summits or highest points in the race in Suasalito (Sual), Bani and Mabini.
As explained by race director general Jess Garcia, the sporting event adopted the standard rules and regulations of the Union Cycliste Internationale, the world governing organization for cycling events.
More than 50 cyclists from Pangasinan and nearby provinces joined the tournament, which aimed to reintroduce the sport to the younger generation.
Joining Garcia in the awarding rites of the 1st I Love Pangasinan Cycling Classic at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center were Pangasinan Sports Development and Management Council executive director Modesto Operania and Marife Acerit of the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office.
Placing fourth to 10th were, in order: Marcelo Felipe (Nueva Ecija), Arjay Peralta (Nueva Ecija), Dominique Perez (Sto. Tomas, Pangasinan), Ronald Oranza (Villasis, Pangasinan), Mark Julius Bonzo (Sual, Pangasinan), Edgar Nieto (Olongapo City), and Bonjoe Martin (Villasis, Pangasinan).
Aside from medals, cash prizes for the 4th to 10th placers were as follows: 4th placer-P7,500; 5th placer-P5,000; 6th placer-P4,000; 7th placer-P3,000; 8th placer-P2,000; 9th placer-P1,500 and 10th placer-P1,000.
The 11th to 20th placers received P500 each, while all other racers were given P300 each.
Pangasinan has a long list of renowned cyclists since Rufino Gabot, a native of Bugallon town, gave the province its first national cycling title in 1957.
Following Gabot’s footsteps were cycling sensations Mamerto Eden (1959), Edmundo de Guzman (1961), Gonzalo Recodos (1963), Jesus Garcia (1973), Teodorico Rimarim (1974), Samson Etrata (1975), Modesto Bonzo (1976), Jacinto Sicam (1981-1982), Romeo Bonzo (1983), Ruben Carino (1984), Pepito Calip (1985) and Bernardo Llentada (1990).
Along with Garcia, another notable cyclist in the 70s was Cesar Catambay, a native of Mangaldan. Based on records, more than 20 cyclists from Pangasinan won the Ronda Pilipinas tour while others made notable impressions in three cycling races—Padyak Pinoy, Tour of Calabarzon and Le Tour Filipinas.
Some of the prominent Pangasinan cycllists of this generation include: Ronald Oranza, Santy Barnachea, El Joshua Carino, Irish Valenzuela, Cris Joven, Ronald Gorantes, Mark John Lexer Galedo, Joel Calderon, Tomas Martinez and George Oconer.