Catalan, 23, pedaled like a mad man in his final race against Amirrudin Jamaluddin, beating the Malaysian with enough to spare and clinching the second cycling gold medal after Marites Bitbit’s in crosscountry of women’s mountain bike.

Catalan, cheered wildly like the rest of the Team Cycling Philippines by a big crowd at the Amoranto Velodrome, could only blurt: "Binigay ko na ang lahat, talagang inubos ko na dito para sa gold."

In fact, Catalan, winner of the criterium bronze in Vietnam in 2003, was the underdog in terms of equipment. He used a standard track bike that was inadvertently ordered for him by the Philsoc, while the Malaysian used a track time trial bike.

Catalan, held to a tight congratulatory embrace by PhilCycling president Bert Lina before the podium ceremonies, timed 4:59.51 and Jamaluddin 5:00.02 in the pursuit, an event where riders start on opposite sides and race 10 laps over the track. Indonesia’s Suwandra clinched bronze in 5:07.78.

The Philippines also earned silver after being frustrated by Malaysia in the team pursuit and a bronze in the team sprint. Catalan joined the team pursuit that had its final almost an hour after the native of San Manuel, Pangasinan, won gold. He was with Arnold Marcelo, Paterno Curtan Jr. and Carlo Jazul.

Catalan and co. timed 4:45.49. Malaysia clocked 4:40.13 in winning gold. Indonesia earned the bronze medal.