CALUAG’S BUMP Y RIDE

When I crossed the finished line, I already knew what the result would be

TAGAYTAY CITY — Daniel Caluag’s ride for glory hit a snag after he faltered in the BMX time trial event of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games at the Tagaytay Extreme Sports Complex here.

Caluag, the former Asian champion and competitor in the London Olympics, cleared the tracks with a time of 32.689 seconds, but it was not enough to even take a bronze.

His brother, former SEA Games campaigner Christopher Caluag, fared even worse with 34.178 seconds, good enough to land at sixth place.

Komet Sukprasert of Thailand plucked the gold medal with 32.038 seconds while Toni Syarifudin of Indonesia and Sittichok Kaewsrikhao took the silver and bronze medals with 32.560 and 32.601 seconds, respectively.

Regarded as the country’s best BMX rider, Caluag greatly struggled, saying that the level of competition in the Southeast Asian level had greatly improved compared to 2013 when he won the SEA Games gold medal in Myanmar.

“I made a mistake in the second straight away and it cost me the race,” said Caluag, the Los Angeles-based rider who is a nurse by profession.

“When I crossed the finished line, I already knew what the result would be. I knew it would be unfortunate.”

Caluag admitted that he is not at his peak, especially in the time-trial event. “It just doesn’t happen overnight. That was something that I knew about,” Caluag bared.

“It was something that I was definitely trying to work on. I know where I am much strong racing-wise.”

Caluag said instead of sulking over the lost opportunity, he will storm back on Tuesday to claim the gold in his pet event — the BMX men’s racing.

“I live in the United States and I’ve been training all year. I’m looking forward to both events, but tomorrow’s race will be the main focus.”

“I fell on this one, but you know, it is what it is. That is racing, and I look forward for the next event.”