Marcelo, Davadilla bag Asiad slotsFORMER national team mainstays Arnold Marcelo and Warren Davadilla triumphed over younger riders yesterday and clinched Guangzhou Asian Games slots in the unified cycling trials at the Amorando Stadium in Quezon City. Marcelo and Davadilla joined 13 other riders who have also bagged track team slots in the national team competing in the Asiad in November. Proving he still has what it takes, Marcelo topped the Keirin race against youthful rival Jan Paul Morales while Davadilla, a two-time Tour champion, proved he is still a force to reckon with by ruling the Men’s Points Race, a 50-lap event (20k) against Padyak Pinoy veterans. "Sabi nila mabigat daw si Morales dahil bata at talagang mapusok pero ayos lang ‘yan kasi kaming dalawa ang magka-partner sa Keirin sa Guangzhou," said Marcelo, who competed in the Madison Track race in the 2006 Doha Asian Games. Davadilla topped the points race with 40 points, with Tomas Martinez settling for second in the nine-loop race. Martinez and Morales also clinched Asiad slots. Ronnel Hualda, 28, twice beat Ronnel Calla in the men’s sprint race in the event supported by Taiwanese Electrical Leader Koten Enterprises. Also clinching Asiad slots in the opener of the trials last Monday were Nilo Estayo, Reinhard Gorantes and George Oconer who will make up the Men’s Olympic Sprint team while Reinhard Gorantes, Lloyd Lucien Reynante, Mark Julius Bonzo and John Mier make up the national squad in the 4K Individual Time Trial and Men’s Team Pursuit. Lady riders Apryl Eppinger, Maritess Bitbit and Annalisa Dysangco have dominated the women’s trials, having topped the 500-meter ITT, 3K Individual Pursuit and Points Race. The trials resume on Friday with the road race ITT at Subic, with the road race massed start set to be held the next day.

FORMER national team mainstays Arnold Marcelo and Warren Davadilla triumphed over younger riders yesterday and clinched Guangzhou Asian Games slots in the unified cycling trials at the Amorando Stadium in Quezon City.
Marcelo and Davadilla joined 13 other riders who have also bagged track team slots in the national team competing in the Asiad in November.
Proving he still has what it takes, Marcelo topped the Keirin race against youthful rival Jan Paul Morales while Davadilla, a two-time Tour champion, proved he is still a force to reckon with by ruling the Men’s Points Race, a 50-lap event (20k) against Padyak Pinoy veterans.
"Sabi nila mabigat daw si Morales dahil bata at talagang mapusok pero ayos lang ‘yan kasi kaming dalawa ang magka-partner sa Keirin sa Guangzhou," said Marcelo, who competed in the Madison Track race in the 2006 Doha Asian Games.
Davadilla topped the points race with 40 points, with Tomas Martinez settling for second in the nine-loop race. Martinez and Morales also clinched Asiad slots.
Ronnel Hualda, 28, twice beat Ronnel Calla in the men’s sprint race in the event supported by Taiwanese Electrical Leader Koten Enterprises.
Also clinching Asiad slots in the opener of the trials last Monday were Nilo Estayo, Reinhard Gorantes and George Oconer who will make up the Men’s Olympic Sprint team while Reinhard Gorantes, Lloyd Lucien Reynante, Mark Julius Bonzo and John Mier make up the national squad in the 4K Individual Time Trial and Men’s Team Pursuit.
Lady riders Apryl Eppinger, Maritess Bitbit and Annalisa Dysangco have dominated the women’s trials, having topped the 500-meter ITT, 3K Individual Pursuit and Points Race.
The trials resume on Friday with the road race ITT at Subic, with the road race massed start set to be held the next day.