More than P100,000 in cash prices is up for grabs in the Cebu Challenge Mountainbike, a one-day road race slated Nov. 18 starting in Talisay City.
The race will feature two stages for total of 170 kilometers from the starting point to Tuburan town northwestern Cebu and back.
The first stage will have racers going from Talisay City to Tuburan via the Naga-Uling road while the second stage will have racers paddle from Tuburan to Talisay via the Media-Once road.
Organizer David “Boy” Odilao Jr., during the press conference held yesterday at the Chopstick Chinese Casual Chow at Shopwise, said this race is aimed at discovering new talents in the field of mountainbiking.
He also said this is one way of showing their appreciation for the modest success of the Cebu Challenge Cycling Classic.
Unlike that August event, this road race will be an individual event.
Divisions to be featured are open/elite, seniors (21-29 years old), juniors (20 below), executive (must be a PRC license holder, managerial, AFP officials and businessmen), fat bikers (190 lbs.) and women’s open.
Birth certificates will be required for participants in the seniors and juniors divisions.
Top five finishers will be declared in each category. Aside from the cash prizes, trophies and medals will also be given to the winners.
Winners will be declared in both stages so if a participant missed out on entering the top five in the first stage, they have a chance to make up for it in the second stage.
Special prizes will also be given away in the open/elite division.
The open/elite participant who can clinch first place in both stages will get the President’s Cup, which comes with an additional cash prize of P5,000, a special prize offered by Bert Alvarado, president of the Cebu Unified Eagles Club.
A special prize will also be given to the fastest participant who can conquer the Naga-Uling road in the first stage and the Magdugo-Media Once road in the second stage, courtesy of Tropang Guardians, who also promised an additional cash prize of P5,000.
Race director Joe Deresas said that although mountainbikes will be used in this race, the route will follow the well-paved roads from Talisay, past Minglanilla, Naga, Magdugo, Toledo, Balamban Asturias then Tuburan.
According to Deresas, they will strictly implement that only 1.9-inch wheels will be used and not racer wheels.
Those interested can register at Chopstick Chinese Casual Chow Shopwise branch, Edfil Restaurant at Citi Center in Sanciangko St. and Cycle Logic at Park Mall Mandaue.