Belgian assault
Belgian triathlete Anthony Devos wins in Moonyeen Triathlon; Rochelle Tan wins female title
PRO triathlete Anthony Devos of Belgium and Cebu’s Rochelle Tan topped the men’s and women’s standard distance races of the 2013 Mayor Moonyeen Triathlon Cup yesterday at the Alegre Beach Resort and Spa in Sogod,Cebu.
Devos completed the 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run in 2:17.30 hours for the title. He was followed by Joseph Lumagod Miller who was 10 minutes behind with 2:27.12 for second place and Alvirg Ramirez Busa with 2:44.24 for third.
Devos, 22, was first to come out of the water in the 1.5K swim in 14 minutes and 14 seconds, enjoying a five-minute lead over Miller.
Miller, whose strength is the bike discipline, caught up in the 40K bike race and not only cut Devos’ lead down by a few seconds, but took the lead as well.
However, this was shortlived as Devos pulled away in the run discipline. In the final kilometer, Devos dropped Miller in their sprint to the finish line with Devos completing the run in 55:29 while Miller needed 1:48.
“We had a very close race. It was a good opportunity and exposure as we prepare for the 70.3 Philippines race in two weeks. My chances against the pro triathletes are still slim but in the Filipino elite field, I am confident that I can have a podi- um finish this year,” Miller said. He is the 2013 Vaseline men Xterra Philippines Filipino elite champion.
Devos, on the other hand, enjoyed his first race in Cebu and found the race route very challenging.
“It was a tough course in the bike and run. There were a lot of climbs. The swim leg went well,” said Devos, who earned his pro license after placing ninth in the 2011 Ironman 70.3 Philippines in Cam Sur.
Devos, who has been in and out of Cebu since he married his wife Carlen Tigue of Consolacion, consider Cebu as his second home and will race not only for Belgium but he will dedicate his race in the Ironman 70.3 Philippines to the Cebu community.
In the distaff side, Rochelle Tan, 20, crossed the finish line in 3:00.16 and was closely followed by Cianyl Jamae Gonzalez in 3: 01.23 for the second and Rosalie L. Ardiente in 3:54.43 for third.
Tan, the lone female Filipino elite bet of Cebu, considered this race as her final tune-up for the Ironman 70.3 Philippines.
With a tougher field in this year’s Ironman with the participation of a handful of seasoned Filipina triathletes, Tan doesn’t guarantee a podium finish but said she will race at her best.
Meanwhile, the age group winners in the standard distance were Oliver Townshend in the men’s 20-24 years old age division; Jay Bryan R. Lawas (M2529), Jan Dennis Sinda (M30-34), Christian Uy (M35-39), Eugene Sanchez (M40-44), Dixon Tui (M45-49) and Roelf Haverkamp (M50 and over).
In the female side, it was June Marq Ocana in the 30-39. Team Danseareau won in the relay.
In the sprint distance, Loveleinell Casidsid and Ian Gerard Rusiana won the female and male divisions, respectively.
Casidsid completed the sprint distance in 1:53.09 followed by Maricel Maniquis in 2:08.27 for second and Gabby Salimbangon with 2:14.36 for third.
Rusiana captured the men’s title after finishing in 1:23.21 followed by Keith Ashley Ocampo in 1:30.57 for second and Jezrel Villarete with 1:35.55 for third place.
There was a glitch in the swim leg of the sprint distance. Participants were supposed to complete a 750 meter swim but they swam 1.5K instead.
“For me, it was okay. We had a good race because the organizers changed its bike route from the last leg. Nindot na kaayo ang rota compared to the last race,” Casidsid said.
During the NAGT-Cebu leg last March, several participants experienced flat tires because of several uneven roadways.