FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD cycling sensation Ana Patricia “Ica” Maximo made waves at the start of the year as she surprised the field in the Golden Men’s B class by winning the title in the inaugural Chigo Criterium road cycling race yesterday in Mandaue City.
Maximo, a student of the Sacred Heart School-Hijas de Cebu and the younger sister of the RP juniors team member Luis Miguel “Igi” Maximo, summoned her second wind to outlast veteran Al Geyrozaga in the thrilling spring to the finish. She finished the race in 1 hour, 1 minute and 31 seconds. In third place was Rey Mahinay.
The race was cruising at an average speed of 27 kilometers per hour but with attacks and counter attacks by different riders, speed can sometimes reach at 37 kph.
“I didn’t expect I can win,” Ica said. “This is a good start for the year.” Icamax is a double medalist in the 2013 Philippine National Games (PNG) Junior Track Cycling Championships held at the Amoranto Velodrome, Quezon City.
Meanwhile, favorite Rex Gonzales dominated the Golden Men’s A category by taking the 1st place honors followed by Manny Talisay (2nd place) and Haylin Bardaje (3rd place). Succeeding stages of the Chigo Cycling series will be held starting this month and series winners will be recognized according to Cebu MultiSport, the event promoters. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio