Norte eyes 2nd straight Asian elite title

Cebu’s Banjo Norte will try to defend his Asian Elite crown as the Regent Aguila Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship kicks off in the Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City today.

Norte of Rider Omega Triathlon Team is hoping to make it two in a row against an elite field that has former champion August Benedicto, Paul Jumamil, Jorry Ycong, John Philip Duenas, Arland Macasieb, Xterra pro Joseph Miller, Raymond Torio and Leonard Rondina.

“I feel some pressure as a defending champion but I have prepared for this race. I trained hard so I can be in my best shape on race day,” the Cebu-based Norte told SunStar Cebu.

Norte, a Cagayan de Oro City native, said he will be relying on his strong points, which are the swim and the bike legs.

“My game plan is to go out early in the swim and bike and build a lead over the strong runners,” he said.

With the new bike route, a three-loop course within the cities of Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue, the 2013 and 2017 champion Norte said that it’s going to be a fast course in the bike since there will be less wind.

“It’s important not to get complacent in the race because there are narrow roads. Just focus on the game,” he said.

The general manager of Sunrise Events Inc. (SEI), Princess Galura, said that everything is set and what’s left to do is to stage the race. There are a total of 3,000 marshals, police, navy, medical staff and security personnel involved.

“The weather tomorrow (Sunday) will be similar to today. The tide is a little bit strong, pero it will still depend kung gaano kalakas ang hangin (on how strong the winds are),” said Galura. “For the medical, we have ambulances from ERUF, Cebu Province, Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City. We have more marshals this year.” /