RP riders flounder in medal bids at Asian Cycling championships

National riders Victor Espiritu and Fil-Australian April Eppinger failed in their respective medal bids Saturday in the 29th Asian Cycling Championships and 16th Asian Junior Cycling Championships being held simultaneously at Tenggarong and Samarinda in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. The 34-year old Espiritu, gold medalist in the 2007 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, managed to finish only 16th in the finals of the men's 30 kilometer point race. Espiritu competed against 40 of Asia’s top riders that represented 34 countries led by powerhouse China, Japan, Iran and Hong Kong. “Kulang kasi sa preparasyon, pero hindi na rin masama kung tutuusin," said national cycling coach Norberto Oconer referring to Espiritu and Eppinger's performance in the first day of the two prestigious Asian cycling tournaments. Eppinger, 24, on the other hand, managed to check in sixth behind gold medalist China, silver medalist Hong Kong and bronze medalist Malaysia in the finals of the women’s 500-meter time trial. Eppinger actually was third best among Southeast Asian riders next to fourth placer Indonesia who was followed by a Chinese-Taipei rider. It was the first international event for Eppinger, who is expected to reap medals in future international tournaments because of her potential. Eppinger clocked in at 38.35 seconds, almost two seconds behind the Chinese rider who crossed the finish line in 36.65. “Halos mahigit isang buwan lang naman kaming nakapag-prepare for this event so, hindi talaga namin ini-expect na mananalo kami," added Oconer who explained that the tournament was part of the national team's international exposure in preparation for future international meets particularly the 25th Southeast Asian Games in Laos in December. This is also the first time that the Philippines is joining the event which was shelved for the last 22 years as part of the program of the International Cycling Union (UCI)-recognized PhilCycling group headed by Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol" Tolentino. – GMANews.TV