Joel Buco smiles as he approaches the finish line of the Hell of Marianas Race Series 2023 at the former Mariana Resort & Spa.
JOEL Buco finished first Sunday in the second event of the Hell of the Marianas Race Series 2023, and has taken the overall lead in the road bike category.
Buco finished second in the first race held on June 18, which was won by Rolando Gacayan.
On Sunday, the race was a shorter course with less stops, but was focused on an uphill battle that challenged the participants’ strength and endurance.
The race started at the former Mariana Resort and proceeded to an incline stretch to Suicide Cliff and then back to the Bird Island lookout and Banzai Cliff before another grueling incline to the old radar station.
Once again, the top three bikers — Joel Buco, Rolando Gacayan and Renren Gaviola, who finished third on June 18 — led the pack.
Buco finished first with a time of 01:03:57. Combined with his second-place finish of 01:15:37 in the first event in June, Buco has total time of 02:19:34, and is now the overall leader.
Gacayan came in second with a time of 01:05:08, and combined with his previous time of 01:15:35, he is second overall with a total time of 02:20:43.
Gaviola once again finished third, clocking 01:08:10. Combined with his first event time of 01:15:48, he is in third place overall with a total time of 02:23:58.
Mountain bikes
In the mountain bike category, Mike Aparte notched his second first-place finish with a time of 01:15:59. Combined with his time of 01:25:09 from the first event, he remains first overall with a total time of 02:41:08.
Bryan Ytac is in second place with a time of 01:25:24. Combined with his previous time of 01:30:43, he is also in second place overall with a total time of 02:56:07.
Angeles Alvarez finished third with a time of 01:25:29. Combined with his previous time of 01:38:40, he is third overall with a total time of 03:04:09.
Women’s division
In the women’s division, JayAnne Felipe missed the first event in June but finished first on Saturday with a time of 01:25:51 while Marjorie Ganacias came in second at 01:32:13.
The third and last race is set for Oct.15. The race series champion and age division winners will receive their awards following the last race of the series. Winners will be determined by the best combined times in all three races.
