VETERAN rider Ronnie Urdaneta clinched the title of the fifth Governor Lala Taliño-Mendoza National Bike Challenge #TreaktoUKPeak2 at the UK Peak, Aleosan, North Cotabato Sunday.
Urdaneta clocked a total of one hour and 20 minutes to rule the open/expert division over Dominador Garcia of South Cotabato and Mark Legasan who settled for second and third, respectively. Garcia checked in at 1:22:00 while Legasan finished at 1:26:00.
Urdaneta pocketed P5,000 cash prize and a medal while the next two placers took home P3,000 and P2,000.
Urdaneta competed in the annual race for the third time, copping the 2014 title and bagging the runner-up honors last year.
Urdaneta, in a Facebook chat interview with VoxPop SuperVoxPop, said he did not expect to win this year.
"Minalas po ako at na-over fatigue ako 'tsaka na trigger na naman 'yung anemic ko dun sa last Kadayawan race. Nakapagpahinga ako after dun nakabawi na katawan ko," Urdaneta said.
He placed third in the 31st Kadayawan Open Cycling held last August 20.
Urdaneta will next compete in Tacurong City next month.
Urdaneta thanked his sponsors and supporters Taokas Philippines, Xfusion, HT, Controltech, Ridea Bike shop, and Sir Alvin Abongug Rad Ong.