Race Report | Enduro Pilipinas Round #4, Cebu

The ENDURO PILIPINAS national series stopped over in Cebu City for the fourth major leg of the 2015 season. Riders came from all over the country to tackle three challenging and technical stages in difficult weather conditions.

Enduro riders from all over the Philippines traveled to Cebu for the ENDURO PILIPINAS National leg.

Oh, pedal-happy me! After Rock ENduro Roll in Tabaco, Albay last September, we were all revved up in anticipation of the Cebu race. After sending out the invitation, our friends from the Team Chocobanana of Enduro Camsur had booked their flight as early as September. We were all looking forward to this event. I have one more reason to get excited, few days before the event, Sly informed me that I’ll be doing the race report. It must have been the latent journo in me, I right away gave my enthusiastic, “Yes!“ I would certainly love to write about the event.

A bit more challenging than the standard sized suitcase.

A Long Trip

Our flight from Manila to Cebu was at 10 a.m. but just as any traffic-ninja would tell you, if you are catching a flight, head out 4 hours earlier. EDSA traffic was at its best that day, I was at the airport at 7 a.m., but the air traffic was at its worst – it was announced that our flight would be delayed and we would be leaving at 12:40 p.m. instead. If you are the type to get fidgety while waiting in line, sure you know how nerve-wracking waiting in the airport could be, surrounded by frantic souls whose only aspiration in life is to get from point-A to point-B. We managed to board the plane at 12:40 p.m. and by 3 p.m. we were homing ourselves at a hostel in Lahug, FAMISHED! Apparently, it was the start of my exhausting yet exhilarating experience in Cebu. Enduro riders from NCR, Albay, Bohol, Cam Sur, Cam Norte, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, Iloillo, Leyte, Palawan, Surigao, Tacurong and Zamboanga came in full force for the event.

Riders awaiting the exiting race track of the ENDURO PILIPINAS Round #4 in Cebu.

Friday, Track Walk

October 16, Friday morning, most of the participants from outside Cebu had gone out for track reading while some opted for a lechon-feast. As scheduled, Friday night was the distribution of the race numbers. Judging from the rowdy but good-natured crowd, everyone was excited and in high spirit. It was also obvious that while the crowd was thick with banters, the racers were sizing up one another. The three of us, Diego (Sly’s son), Sly and I went to the venue at 2:30 p.m. to check and recheck the list of riders and their race numbers. We also did some paper works, Sly, briefed the timers and marshals for the event. Before we knew it, it was 7 p.m. already and the riders started to arrive. While Sly went about with the briefing, Diego and I busied ourselves handing out the race numbers.

Shuttling Philippine style.

Saturday, Race Day

Three unforgiving, limit testing special stages over a length of 14km awaited the participants. The riders gathered in Lahug plaza at dawn then they were transported to the SS1 liaison in Radar trail. SS1 started in Brgy. Sudlon, Cebu City at exactly 6:30 a.m. and it ended in Brgy. Bagakay, Toledo City. Stage 2 started at exactly 9:30 a.m. in Bitlang Ungoyan Trail and ended in Brgy. Bonbon, Cebu City. The last special stage 3 started at exactly 11:30 a.m. in Bitlang and ended in Brgy. Buo, Cebu City. By 2 p.m. the race was over. The elite riders headed back to Barangay Bonbon where trucks waited for them. They were transported back to Lahug. Awarding was at 7 p.m.

Getting in touch with the local fans.

Riders Impressions

I didn’t race so I wasn’t able to see the track. I asked the riders instead of what they thought of the track and their experiences and here they are:

“The three stages were equally long and challenging. It was very hard not to make mistakes. In fact, I crashed in every single stage of the event. Nonetheless it was fun and self fulfilling. Thanks. “ Deney Metiam (Cebu Trailblazers – The Cake Boutique of Cebu)

The muddy track demanded everything of the riders.

“Heavy rainfall the night before caused a more demanding race track and a challenge especially on a hardtail bike. The upper section in SS1 was very sketchy, rain ruts all over the place. SS2 was “mudness”! The track was very slippery. There was carnage in the boulder section and I had so many mistakes that I crashed hard a couple of times. Supposedly this was my preferred track. I can’t believe how SS2 turned me down on race day. Finally, the track condition in SS3 hadn’t changed much but I almost went over the bars. I suffered so much arm pump caused by the rugged path in the lower section. Nevertheless, the overall experience was great! I’m super stoked that I made it to 11th place in the national level competition.” Ado Codera (Outbreak Adrenaline Wear of Cebu)

“Saying the Cebu trail is challenging is an understatement. It was extremely indomitable but I was able to conquer it. It was a thrilling race, i certainly enjoyed it.“ Danilo Ibasco Jr. (Team Papadyak of Camarines Norte)

The podium at the fourth stop of the ENDURO PILIPINAS national series.

“Racetrack was very long and very technical and very fun to ride! The view is amazing, the riders were friendly. Race was very well organized. Over-all experience, it was a blast!“ Gabriel Cordova (V12 Iloilo / Afriques of Iloiloy)

“SS1 is very long tough track with non-stop rough terrain, akward and questionable long pedaling sections especially with the addition of the rain in the evening before race day making it very slippery thus punishing riders with slips and crashes. SS2 separates man from the boys. With sharp big rocks combined with slippery mud thus making the technical sections an intimidation to a lot of riders. At this stage I could barely feel my hands due to arm pump. I just couldn’t let go of my brake levers. SS3 was great going thru the first 3/4 of the stage because the sunshine dried the track. But the the real challenge awaited us before the finish line. Generally, all the Cebu tracks where very tough. It’s hard to find your personal rhythm.“ Renan Ricafrente (Team Reklamo of NCR)

Full ENDURO support after a great event!

We staged one more time a successful event. Beaming behind each of the riders, exhausted and beaten up appearance, were pride and joy as they conquered the hardest Cebu trails. Looking forward, we at ENDURO PILIPINAS vows to continue with our mission. More races to stage and above all, more experiences and friends to gain.

For more info, visit: enduropilipinas.com

Words: Ione Mejia | Photos: Avs Ceriola

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