Deresas says Mier is virtual champion

RACE DIRECTOR Joe Deresas believes that 20-year-old Cebuano ace rider John Renee Mier of LBC-MVP Team A will win the Cebu Challenge Cycling Classic.

The 156-kilometer third stage from Toledo City to Argao was won by Mangaldan Pangasinan cycling team captain Arnel Quirimit, who finished with a lap time of five hours, 18 minutes and 33.53 seconds.

But Deresas said stage one winner Mier, who is the youngest rider in the event, has gathered enough advantage to win the 439.5-kilometer race.

“We are finalizing the official time of the riders but I am already announcing that Mier is the virtual champion  because he is still the leader in the overall standings,” said Deresas.

Cebuano Jacob Pagnanawon of LBC-MVP  Team B did not disappoint his father, cycling legend Rolando Pagnanawon, after claiming the second best lap time of five hours, 19 minutes and 50.11 seconds yesterday.  Tots Poledan of Cycle Line Extreme Butuan finished third with a time of five hours, 20 minutes and 10.11 seconds.

Deresas said that the official time and rankings of the winners will be announced after the circuit race to be held at the Cebu International Convention Center./CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL