Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 15) – John Derick Farr and Naomi Gardoce clinched on Sunday the first medals of the Philippine cycling team in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam.
Farr and Gardoce both won bronze medals in the mountain bike downhill individual events held at the Hoa Binh Gymnastics and Sports Center.
Farr, the gold medal winner of the event in 2019, clocked in at three minutes and 13.138 seconds in the men’s category.
Thailand’s Methasit Boonsane won the gold medal with a time of three minutes and 6.27 seconds while Indonesia’s Andy Prenoga bagged the silver medal after completing the ride three seconds slower than the Thai.
In the women’s side, Gardoce secured a podium finish after finishing at a time of three minutes and 44.722 seconds.
Indonesia’s Tiara Andini Prastika ruled the women’s race with a time of three minutes and 31.531 seconds, as she held a 10-second lead over runner-up Vipavee Deekaballes of Thailand.
Gardoce’s feat overshadowed the disappointing performance of the event’s defending champion Lea Belgira, whose bike suffered a flat tire during her run.
“I got the flat tire right in the first drop,” said Belgira. “I felt the thud and I knew it…I tried to ride flat but to no avail.”
The mountain bike cross country races are slated on Monday, while the mixed relay cross country event will make its SEA Games debut on Tuesday.
