MULING nasubok ang kakayahan at diskarte ng may 2,500 racers na sumabak sa mapaghamong 7-Eleven Trail 2018 sa bulubunduking ruta sa Timberland Heights sa San Mateo, Rizal.

Lumikha ng record ang dami ng participants na nakiisa sa karera sa tinaguriang “mountain biking capital” sa bansa.

“It makes me happy that a lot of racers registered for this year,” pahayag ni Jose Victor Paterno, President and CEO ng Philippine Seven Corporation.

Goodbye PBA? John Amores, tinanggalan na ng professional license!

“At 7-Eleven, we believe that it is important to have a balanced lifestyle, that’s why we encourage our customers to eat healthy and engage themselves in sports such as this or do simple exercises,” aniya.

Sumabak ang mga siklista sa pinaghalong akyatin, palusong at baku-bakong ruta.

“For this year, we built a lot of new trails. Also, for the very first time, we are finishing here at the Glades, which is a bit of an uphill finish, it can be challenging but I think the venue is really worth it,” sambit ni Paterno.

Nanguna sa labanan sa men’s and women’s class ng 40 Km race sina EJ Flores at Ariana Dormitorio na nagsumite ng tyempong 1:18:32 at 1:24:58, ayon sa pagkakasunod.

“Masarap sa feeling na ako ang nag-overall, nahawakan ko na ‘to dati, dalawang sunod. Nasiraan lang ako [ng bisikleta] last year, kaya buti nakapwesto ulit ako ngayon,” sambit ni Flores. “Kinabisado talaga namin ‘yong ruta, araw-araw kaming nag-eensayo rito sa Timberland. Siguro ang advantage ko ay ‘yong sa technicals, sa downhills, at sa rocks.”

Inilarawan naman ni Dormitorio ang panalo bilang paghahanda sa kanyang mas pahirapang torneo na lalahukan sa abroad.

“I’m actually feeling really great. There are a lot of improvements, it’s really a fast-paced race course and I’m happy to be able to compete with other men. Because here at 7-Eleven, I really try my best to be up with their level, especially that my goal is to compete abroad. So, it’s really a good feeling that I was able to do my plans for this year’s race,” sambit ni Dormitorio.