Butuan native Riemon Lapaza rules PH leg of 2022 UCI Gravel World Series

Riemon Lapaza of Butuan emerged victorious in the Philippine leg of the inaugural 2022 Trek UCI Gravel World Series race held last weekend in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija.

Lapaza, representing the Cycleline Butuan team, clocked in 3:06:46.7 and endured a flat tire near the finish line to rule the leg in all categories while the Netherlands' Rick Nobel came in second while also toppling the men's 19-34 category.

Lapaza was actually the second to physically cross the line but was hailed the overall winner due to a superior time. Nobel, who banners Eurocyclingtrips Pro Cycling Team, clocked in 3:11:38.13.

Angelo Bryant Licup, meanwhile, ruled the men's 40-44 with Akihiro Takaoka dominating the men's 45-49, Richard Santiago's the men's 50-54, Joselito Patayan the men's 55-59, Jamie Lopez the men's 60-64, and Chris Turpin the men's 65-69.

In the women's category, Mellisa Jane Jaroda won in the 19-34 group while ruling the 35-39, 40-44,  45-49, and 50-54 categories were Chloe Jane Ong, Ann Aleonar, Anna Remigio, and Leilani Tan, respectively.

Close to 400 riders joined the event with the qualifiers getting a finisher medal while the 25% of each rider category earned a UCI qualifying medal and automatically made it to the UCI World Championships.

Aleonar, who has been racing since 2010, shared that she was overwhelmed with gratitude.

“I took a 5-year break from racing, and anyone who’s raced knows that it isn’t easy to come back – especially up to racing level,” Aleonar said. “And then the pandemic happened, it really wasn’t easy. When I actually finished and qualified, the first feeling I felt was gratefulness.”

—JMB, GMA News