MANILA – Ariana Dormitorio once again dominated the PhilCycling National Championships for MTB 2021 on Sunday in Danao City in Mandaue, Cebu, to maintain her national championship title.
The Iloilo City-native Dormitorio clocked 1:29:50.75 to retain the Women’s Elite Category – a shorter five-loop ride over a three-kilometer loop – for four consecutive times.
The Ilongga ousted Nicole Quinones, who seized a silver medal with a 1:42:12.89 time and Pamela Jane Ruiz, who settled for a bronze medal with her 1:48:25.24 time.
Dormitorio, who failed to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, said her triumph was fulfilling since it was her massive lead in a national championship race.
“I’m glad to have successfully defended my National Champion title. And this by far is the biggest lead I had in a National Championship race against the silver and bronze medalists.”
On the other hand, Athena Marie Magpantay ruled the Women’s Junior category of the tournament, which serves as qualifiers for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games.
A native of Sara, Iloilo, Magpantay completed her race with a time of 1:11:11.44, routing Jasmin Philsen Babol (1:20:26.26) and Alianah Therese Velasco (1:24:03:09).
“The results showed our cyclists stayed in competitive form even during the pandemic. Everyone wanted to return to action,” said Oscar Rodriguez, PhilCycling vice-chairman, and MTB commission head.
Following the triumphant event in Danao City, up next for the PhilCycling is the National Trials For Road on July 9 and 10 in Clark, Pampanga./PN
