Lagging behind on the first kilometers of the competition,51 year old, JICA personnel, and 1 time champion of Yamagoto Bike Race 24 years ago, Masakatzu Komatsu used his experience and expertise to break away from the pack at the exhausting and very excruciating series of up and down hills of Ngardmau State. And as he came to the Melekeok State road, Mr. Komatsu totally left everybody behind pulling away towards the finish line with a time of 3 hours 53 minutes and 24 seconds. Trailing him is another Japanese National, Takashima Hidekazu, who clocked in at 4 hours 12 minutes and 47 seconds followed by husband and wife, Scott McDonald and Laura McDonald with a time of 4:24:48 and 4:25:46, respectively.
The first Bike Challenge was attended by 27 participants with 16 locals and foreigners who enjoyed the race as well as the sights and sounds of the different places of Babeldoab. The top finisher, Mr. Komatsu, was honored with a plaque with his name engraved presented by Andrew B. Leeka, Honorary Consul General of Palau.
