TAGAYTAY – This Friday, 18 March, the Road Race was on the programme of this 7th World University Cycling Championship in Tagaytay, Philippines. Although yesterday’s criterions already foreshadowed the domination of certain nations, including Germany and Poland, today’s races nevertheless provided their share of surprises.
Women’s Medal Podium Road Race
In the women’s race, no surprise for first and second places which returned to the same athletes as the previous day and in the same order. Germany’s Romy Kasper – runner-up at the recent Tour of Qatar – won again with an impressive margin leaving silver to Nikol Plosaj (POL) who beat local sprint surprise Salamat (PHI). Yesterday’s bronze medallist Brzena had to settle for fourth place. The 80km race on very hilly terrain saw Kasper demonstrate her power on the volcanic slopes of Tagaytay while dominating the race towards the podium until the final sprint. A second gold medal after two races for Kasper who will walk away from Tagaytay with only good memories.
Men’s Medal Podium Road Race
The men’s 120km race offered an impressive sight to the many spectators gathered in the streets with a grouped platoon until halfway, when the leading racers decided the timing was right to start their attack on the steepest slopes of the race track. Cyrus Monk (AUS), bronze medallist in the criterion, lunged from far, followed in his escape by the 23-year old Mongolian Batmunkh, the recent Asian champion against the clock, and two Filipinos racers with the winner of yesterday’s race Boots Ryan Cayupit one of them. The escaped group was also joined by German rider Weifenbach, silver medallist of yesterday’s race. In the final kilometres Monk, who produced most of the effort, escaped and created a considerable gap between him and his competitors. The Australian crossed the line first ahead of the Mongolian Batmunkh and Weifenbach (GER) while Cayubit (PHI) failed to climb the podium this time. A second medal for Monk and Weifenbach while Mongolia grabbed its first medal in this WUC.
This Saturday, the Mountain Bike Eliminator Race will take place for both men and women from 11 am local time onwards.
(Source: J. Buhajezuk, WUC Dept.)
RESULTS
