PNM MTB CHALLENGE

2011 PNM MTB CROSS COUNTRY CHALLENGE

Paghandum ni Magsaysay (PNM)

Balamban to Mt. Manunggal, Cebu, Phils.

March 20, 2011

Lazer Helium helmet

PNM MTB CHALLENGE

2011 PAGHANDUM NI MAGSAYSAY MTB CHALLENGE

March 20, 2011 Sunday 9:30AM

Balamban Municipal Hall to Mt. Manunggal, Balamban

Newbie MTBer 15yo Luis Miguel "Igi" Maximo doing last minute check prior to the race

Racers get set...

The crowd lining up along the Balamban road, anticipating the exciting race

The climb starts along the dreaded Trans Central Highway

The riders pushing up towards Mt. Manunggal, 18km from the Balamban town

SURBAN WINS PAGHANDUM NI MAGSAYSAY BIKEFEST

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Published in The Freeman Newspaper on March 21, 2011 Monday issue
by Caecent No-ot Magsumbol, Staff Writer
Manny Villaruel, Sports Editor

CEBU, Philippines - Niño Surban showed mastery at the trails of Mt. Manunggal enroute to another victory in the Paghandum Ni Magsaysay Mountainbike Challenge yesterday.

Surban gave some neat lessons to fellow mountainbikers and left them behind to claim the expert open class’ top position.

Ronie Cabaluna settled for second, while Randy Carbonera ended up third.

Nilo Barbalose, who is from the nearby Toledo City, dominated the masters division with Melencio Java and Joney Tibay occupying the next two spots.

Ramon Espinosa topped the veterans division over Jonas Ponsica, while Nick Malon lorded it over in the executive division over Raymund Naquines and Orville Tecson.

The beginners class had Gian Carlo Robles on top with Delfin Delfin finishing second and Jezam Baldomer third.

Paref-Springdale’s Luis Miguel “Igi” Maximo, who is one of the fast-rising cyclists in the country today, landed 17th out of the 51 entries in the beginners’ class.

"I'm still having a hard time adjusting from road bike to mountain bike racing. The bike handling, cadence, and gearing are different. I need more training, more exposure on MTB. But I'm having fun, especially when we entered the dirt roads going to Mt. Manunggal. It's so cool but dangerous because the cliff is just beside you. The other cyclists were strong and good in bike handling. I want to be like them too. I promise I'll be back next year and improve my 17th place finish," said 15-year old Igi Maximo. – (FREEMAN)

IGIMAX TO INVADE BALAMBAN FOR PNM BIKEFEST

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Published in The Freeman Newspaper on March 20, 2011 Sunday issue
Manny Villaruel, Sports Editor

CEBU, Philippines - Team maX1mo received an invitation from Councilor Dave Karamihan of Balamban to join the Paghandum Ni Magsaysay (PNM) Mountainbike Challenge this morning from the Balamban town hall to Mt. Manunggal.

SAC awardee and three-time Phil Premiere Cycling League junior champion Luis Miguel “Igi” Maximo is delighted by the invitation and will participate in the event. He is supposed to set this week as his rest and recovery period from the grueling 2-day Tour of Clark race last week but Igimax wants to support local cycling and does not want to miss the opportunity of experiencing a historical event that commemorates the death of Pres. Magsaysay.

“What I’ve read in the history books, I get to experience it live right here in Cebu. If you go on vacation in other countries and marvel at their tourist spots, we should also not miss our own history” said Igi, the 15-year old 3rd year high school student of PAREF-Springdale.

If cycling has brought him to places like Manila, Luzon and America, there is no reason for him not to bring his bike – home, in Cebu, particularly in the town of Balamban.

Igi will use this race as his recovery ride from the tough ToC competition last week. Though he is more of a roadie, the event will hopefully teach him the rudiments of MTB racing. Once he gets used to the new discipline, he will include MTB races in his racing calendar.

Igimax’ entry-level MTB bike is heavy and not suited for racing. But he is hopeful that, soon, supporters and sponsors will turn his bike into a lightweight, race-tuned machine, just as what happened to his road bike which is now primed with Token wheelset, Lazer helmet, Kenda tires, Shimano cogs provided by YKK Trading and apparel by OZ Racing.

Regarding the event, Karamihan said “the mountain bike race, the 8th this year, is a 21km route starting from the poblacion all the way to Mt. Manunggal. The route is mainly uphill along the transcentral highway (concreted) except for the last 5km which is a barangay road---part concreted and part dirt road. One section is the C section which is where the tourist bus filled with Iranian nationals fell off a cliff. Not to worry though, that section already has a concrete barrier constructed along the shoulder and the bikers traverse it uphill.

The categories featured are beginners, juniors, seniors,executive, veterans, masters and open/expert. (FREEMAN)

TOP RIDERS IN PNM BIKE CHALLENGE

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Published in Sun Star Newspaper on March 20, 2011 Sunday issue
by Iste S. Leopoldo, Staff Writer
Mike T. Limpag, Sports Editor

FRESH from the Tour of Clark last weekend, Luis Miguel "Igi" Maximo will join today's edition of the Paghandum ni Magsaysay (PNM) Mountain Bike Challenge which fires off at 8:30 a.m. in Balamban.

Maximo will face Cebu's top cross country riders like Nino Surban, Warren Vinan, Albert Basirgo, Elmo Clarabal and Ramonito Espinosa in the race today.

Today's race will feature a 21-kilometer route and will end at Mt. Manunggal.  It will have the beginners, juniors, seniors, executive, veterans, masters and open divisions. ISL

PNM M'BIKE CHALLENGE BANATAN NA

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Published in Banat Newspaper on March 20, 2011 Sunday issue
by Lemuel Maglinte, Staff Writer
Yoyo Abayan, Sports Editor

CEBU, Philippines - Magsikaray na ang mga banggiitang mountainbikers dinhi sa Sugbu sa pagsikad sa Paglaum Ni Magsaysay (PNM) Mountainbike Challenge karong buntag gikan sa Balamban town hall paingon ngadto sa Mt. Manunggal.

Subayon sa mga siklista ang tungason nga rota sa Transcentral Highway paingon ngadto sa Mt. Manunggal, ang lugar diin nahagsa ang eroplano nga gisakyan ni anhing presidente Ramon Magsaysay niadtong Marso 17, 1957.

Mga kategoriya nga tigian mao ang beginners, juniors, seniors, executive, veterans, masters ug expert class.

Lakip sa mga notadong seklista mao ang Cebu top mountainbiker nga si Niño Surban ug junior cycling sensation Luis Miguel 'Igi' Maximo.

Ganting salapi ug plake ang madawat sa mga mananaog sa matag kategoriya. (BANATSPORTS)