Subang, Indonesia—Ariana Thea Patrice Dormitorio crashed in Lap 2 of the five-lap race to bomb out of the medals’ race in cycling’s women cross-country on Tuesday in the 18th Asian Games.
Dormitorio was ranked first in the 12-rider field, but suffered the misfortune and had to recuperate from a left thigh injury at the Medical Tent.
“I’m somehow disappointed,” said Dormitorio, whose No. 100 ranking in the UCI made her the favorite in the race. “Luck was not with me today.”
Dormitorio, who turned 22 recently, was first out of the start line, but being the lone Philippine rider in the race, she was gobbled up by two Chinese—eventual 1-2 finishers Yao Bianwa and Li Hongfeng—as they wound up Lap 1.
Then came the decisive crash in Lap 2 over the 4.5-km circuit PhilCycling MTB Director Oscar “Boying” Rodriguez described as less technical.
Dormitorio, whose father later/coach Donnie Domitorio that his daughter is resigning from the national team, underestimated a downhill curve and hurt her left thigh just above the knee. Doctors suspected her quad muscles were sprained.
Yao, 22, and an Asian Games first-timer like Dormitorio, was unrelenting and crossed solo in one hour, 20 minutes and seven seconds. Li finished more than four minutes later, while Thailand’s Natalie Panyawan (1:26:11) earned bronze.
Yao, who has no UCI ranking, admitted she did not expect to win and acknowledged Dormitorio could have given her a tough fight if not for bad luck.
“The Philippine rider was strong and I am lucky to win,” she said.
Unlike in the downhill races which Indonesia swept, the hosts didn’t wield the home-court advantage this time after its two riders—Rohidah Rohidad and Noviana Noviana (note: the names are correct, not typo errors) finished sorely in the event.
Rohidad was eighth and Noviana was joined Dormitorio and three others from Nepal, Mongolia and Chinese Taipei.
Nino Surban was scheduled to start for the men’s race on Tuesday afternoon.