BACOLOD City — The tandem of Francis Dayon and John Mark Sustento delivered a commanding performance to dominate the Mountain Bike (MTB) Relay Category of the MassKara Duathlon Race, showcasing not just endurance but seamless teamwork that left their rivals trailing far behind.
From the first lap to the final sprint, Dayon and Sustento maintained a blistering pace that underscored their chemistry on the course. Their aggressive yet strategic approach earned them the gold medal and thunderous cheers from spectators.
In a post-race interview, both athletes credited their victory to trust and discipline.
“We pushed each other to the limit, and that made the difference,” they said.
Behind them, the duo of Leopoldi Japitana and John Evison secured second place, while Mj Maldegui and Roderick Punzalan finished third.
Meanwhile, in the individual road bike events, Edjie Arances clinched the Road Bike Open Category title with an impressive solo run, followed by Borge Arriola and Rogen Aguirre.
In the Women’s Open Category, Angel Hope Gonzaga dominated the field with remarkable stamina, with Jwyn Muyco and Edge Prado rounding out the podium.
Other age-category champions included Chris Adrian Veloso (RB 19-under), Ren Alonzo (RB 20–29), Romulo Balinas Jr. (RB 30–39), Benjie General (RB 40–49), and Felimon Solatorio (RB 50-up).
For the MTB individual races, winners included Lance Escora, Randolf Magbanua, Romnick Bibit, Divino Madrigal, Eguala Rodrigo Millenda, and John Leardo Malojo, all of whom showcased exceptional grit across rugged terrain.
The MassKara Duathlon Race, a highlight of the 46th MassKara Festival’s “MassKaralympics”, brought together cyclists and runners from across the country. Organized by the Gugma Foundation, Inc., the event aimed to spotlight Bacolod’s growing reputation as a hub for endurance sports./PN
