By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Ilongga rider Ariana Dormitorio continued her national championship dominance in the PhilCycling National Championships for MTB 2021 over the weekend in Danao City in Mandaue, Cebu.

The Iloilo City-native Dormitorio submitted a time of 1:29:50.75 to retain the Women’s Elite Category title—a shorter five-loop ride also over a 3-km loop—for the fourth straight time.

Finishing behind Dormitorio were Nicole Quinones, who bagged the silver medal with a 1:42:12.89 clocking, and Pamela Jane Ruiz, who settled for bronze medal with her 1:48:25.24 time.

Dormitorio, who recently failed in her bid to punch a ticket to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, said that her triumph was fulfilling since it was her biggest lead in a national championship race.

“I’m glad to have successfully defended my national champion title. And this by far is the biggest lead I had in a national championship race against the silver and bronze medalists,” Dormitorio said in a Facebook post.

“Hard work does pay off and this wouldn’t be possible without the help of my great village. To my family, my team, my sponsors, and my great fans, this win is for you!!!,” the Ilongga rider added.

Ilongga Athena Marie Magpantay, for her part, also made her presence felt by ruling the Women’s Junior category of the tournament that serve as qualifiers for those who will compete in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games.

The Sara, Iloilo-native Magpantay, the Batang Pinoy champion in Puerto Princesa in 2018, finished her race with a time of 1:11:11.44, defeating Jasmin Philsen Babol (1:20:26.26) and Alianah Therese Velasco (1:24:03:09).

Following the successful event in Danao City over the weekend, up next for the PhilCycling is the National Trials For Road, which will be held on July 9 and 10 in Clark, Pampanga./ASC, WDJ