Belgira claims Asian mountain-biking gold

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BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Thursday, November 9, 2017
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MANILA – Following the footsteps of Ariana Dormitorio of Iloilo, Lea Denise Belgira of Guimaras also finished the Asian Mountain Bike Series with a gold medal in the fourth and final leg in Malaysia.

Belgira defeated eight other Malaysian rivals to top the last leg of the Women Elite Downhill, clocking 1 minute and 39.64 seconds.

But this feat was good for only a second-place overall finish in the category as Belgira lagged behind veteran Malaysian rider Nia Vanessa Suhanna.

“It is such a big honor to represent the Philippines,” Belgira said in a statement. “This is my first UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) race outside of the country and one of my biggest achievements so far.”

Meanwhile, national team head coach Frederick Farr completed the Philippines’ sweep of all Downhill events after ruling the Men Masters against 12 other riders from four nations.

In other results, Edmhel John Flores settled for a silver medal in the Men Cross Country Olympic. Teammates Cesar Lapaza placed fifth and Niño Surban, a returning veteran rider, seventh.

The Philippines ended its campaign in the two-day bikefest with four gold, two silver and one bronze medals as its cyclists’ world rankings are expected to improve after the Union Cycliste Internationale-sanctioned event./PN
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