Carbonera, Navarro win Cebu Challenge
WHEN the toughest came together, Cebu’s top junior rider John Mier, was nowhere to be found. But a new heroine was named when Jerlyn Alferez Besanes was given a special award during the Cebu Challenge—for bravely riding against the boys.
She was the only lady rider to register for the race.
With Mier conking out early in the race, the limelight fell on Roy Carbonera and Elmer Navarro, who won Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the elite division of the Cebu Challenge, a two-stage, day-long race, which finished in Talisay.
Carbonera won the first leg, which started in Talisay and ended in Tuburan after posting 2:38.40, followed by Marvin Viñan (2:38.50) and Marvin Tapic (2:39.10).
Tapic had the victory at his fingertips as he was leading the three-man pack towards the fin- ish line. However, he made a wrong turn when he overshot in the last corner towards the final sprint to squander a good lead and a possible victory.
He was, however, named the Eagle of the Mountain after crossing the Uling summit first.
In Stage 2, which backtracked from Tuburan to Talisay, it was Elmer Navarro who took the title, as he banked on an early breakaway for the victory. Randy Carbonera came in second with a time of 2:48.01, while Tapic made another third-place finish with 2:49.22.
Navarro broke from the pack along with Ikee Robles between Asturias and Balamban. Before reaching the Eagle of the Mountain summit in Media Onse in Toledo, Navarro not only aced it but left Robles behind for a oneman breakaway, which he kept until the finish.