Mier rules Stage 1, keeps yellow jersey
By Dale G. RosalCebu Daily News
Twenty year-old Cebuano John Renee Mier outlasted older racers yesterday to rule the grueling opening stage of the Cebu Cycling Challenge Classic which started at the Cebu Provincial Capitol grounds and ended in Bogo City, northern Cebu.
After the lung-busting 107.5-kilometer opening leg, Mier retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey he won after Wednesday’s Individual Time Trial held at the SRP grounds.
Today’s second leg will traverse Aloguinsan and the rest of western Cebu and will conclude in Toledo city.
Mier, a gold medalist in the South East Asian Games, clocked 2 hours, 13 minutes and 48.32 seconds for first place.
“I never expected to have that kind of result. I was worried that riders from the American Vinyl team from Manila might surpass me but thanks to my teammates who helped me retain the lead until the finish line,” said Mier of Team LBC.
“I can’t promise to retain the lead all the way to stage four and the criterium but I will do my best with the help of my team. For the second stage I expect a smoother race,” added Mier who topped Wednesday’s ITT in four minutes and 53.98 seconds.
ITT fifth placer Rustom Lim of LPG American Vinyl team finished second in two hours 13 minutes and 58.32 seconds while another Vinyl rider, Cris Joven rounded off the top 3 overall individual standings with the time of two hours 14 minutes and 32 seconds.
American LPG Vinyl grabbed the lead in the team standings with an accumulated time of six hours 42 mins. and 24.96 seconds followed by Mangaldan Pangasinan led by team captain Arnel Quirimit which clocked 6:49:59.30 and Cycle Line Extreme Butuan skippered by March Maquen Aleonar in third place with a time of 6:55:07.50.
More than 60 riders are competing in the year’s biggest cycling extravaganza in Cebu mounted by former Cebu Customs Collector David “Kuya Boy” Odilao Jr.
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