For the 43-year-old Hortaleza, a mountain biker turned road racer and a member of the Du Pont Joven team, it was his hillclimbing prowess, coupled with his pre-race training and preparation that gave him the edge in the event that attracted close to a hundred cyclists.
He clocked 1:04.48 in winning the 40 to 49 age category, followed by national triathlon coach Abet Alonalon, 1:11.09, and Ariel Malabag, 1:11.32.
"I was confident about winning my age group but not about having the best time, there were a lot of younger cyclists in the field, lumamang ako sa ahunan, lalo na sa may finish line na paahon," said Hortaleza after the race hosted by the Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel and backed by the local governments of Nasugbu, Tuy, Lian, Matabungkay, and Balayan together with the provincial government of Batangas and the Leviste Youth Foundation.
The other male age group winners were Norberto Daa, 1:05.10, Michael David, 1:07.25, and Omar Nacionales,1:07.41 in the 20 to 29 age group; Toots Chua ruled the 30 to 39 group in 1:05.30, followed by runners-up Eric Carandang, 1:06.30, and Lloyd Santos, 1:07.05.Ramon Cortan won the 50 and above in 1:17.59 while Joe Asuncion placed second in 1:24.36.
Lucas, 32, relied on her long experience in both local anzd international competitions to easily win the women’s open division in 1:16.39, while national triathlon team member Mimi Lucas took second in 1:17.38, third place went to Rizzo Tangan in 1:18.27.
The 45K, 90K, and 130K road races are scheduled for this morning with over a hundred individual and team members competing in the final day of the two day event, also supported by Polar heart rate Monitor, Universal Motors, Fitness First, TREK, Giant, and Mellow Touch 94.7.
