RAMON Espinosa and Joseph Carcueva vanquished all comers as they ruled their respective divisions in the criterium race at the start of the Tour ni Frank yesterday at the North Reclamation Area in Mandaue City.
Espinosa took home the title in the Category B open age and was followed by Jonas Ponseca and Victor Viray of Manila, in second and third place, respectively.
Lyndon Caraquel and Ranilo Sena rounded out the top five. Newly named Philippine team member Luis Miguel “Igi” Maximo, the youngest participant at 16 years old, finished in eighth place.
“You just have to keep in mind always that in order for you to achieve athletic excellence you have to compete against yourself,” said Maximo. “You just don’t give up,” added Maximo, who battled the tough competition and the arduous race conditions to finish the race.
In category C, Carcueva took home the crown as he beat Tata Ty and William Bloom of Manila. Rommel Cerelo was in fourth while Peter Bandoles was in fifth place.
Today’s stage 2 will be a climbing 55-km road race from Balamban to Busay Hills, Cebu City via the dreaded Trans Central Highway. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio