Two riders from Baguio City who were among the 10 brave individuals who showed up from the 30 initial registrants nailed decent finishes in the first nighttime mountain bike downhill race in the country held in Bongabon bike park in Nueva Ecija on May 28.
Only 10 riders showed up during the actual race due to strong rain that started in the afternoon until the few minutes leading to the start of the race.
Vince Dangiapo of 7Day Adventures/Behind Bars Bikeshop Baguio crashed a few meters from the finish line causing him a spot on the podium and finished in fourth place instead.
Allan Fullo of Sayote Boiz has encountered mechanical problems on his way down but was still able to finish at sixth place in the race that was participated in by former national team rider NiloEstayo who took the top spot.
Track conditions were at its worse, with puddles of water forming in some sections, the soil turning into a slippery mud making the course difficult and since it was done at night, it only added to the risk factor for the riders.
The next day, the regular downhill race has drawn more than 100 riders joining the event.
Jay Camero of Ulrich BFC once again led the charge by winning the top spot in the 40 to 49 age group category while four local riders landed on the top 10 in the hardtail category led by fifth placer Eugene Rey Costina of Tannapo crew, Elijah Nadera at sixth, David Briones at ninth, and Erckiel Olores at 10th, all represented Sayote Boiz.
In the 19 under category, Vrenj Carantes of Mount Descend placed ninth in a tough field of older and more experienced riders while his cousin, Angelo Carantes, finished at 11th place.
In the 20 to 29 group, Jhubert Bocyag of Sayote Boiz placed sixth while Darrylle Cayas and Ely Balaki, both of F1 Cycles placed ninth and 10th.
In the 30 to 39 group, Jaime Pogdon of Sayote Boiz/Sakkal got his first top 10 finish at a race outside of Baguio and in the competitive open category while SayoteBoiz riders Thomas Dean Baday, John Michael Chiday, and Arjay Viscaya placed eighth, ninth, 10th place respectively battling it out with veterans who could be the next generation of national team riders for downhill MTB.
The next day, the 7th edition of the Tarlac Enduro Attack took place in San Jose, Tarlac. Dangiapo had to travel after the night race at Bongabon to make it in time for the race next day. He and managed to place ninth in a field of 37 riders in his category but was relegated to 11th place due to some timing issues of other riders.
MTB enduro and downhill races has seen a rapid growth since the pandemic and more riders are eager to try their luck and test their skills by joining these events. – Press release
