Triathletes Test Bike Course of Cobra Ironman 70.3 Set on Aug. 2

(PNA) — More than 200 triathletes on Sunday tested the bike course of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines 2015 set to roll off on Aug. 2 at the Shangrila’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.

The bike out, which started and ended at the Lapu-Lapu Shrine in Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City, was the most participated bike out in four years and most of the triathletes rated this year’s bike route much better than last year’s.

The organizers had to change the bike route last year to a double M-loop to avoid the roads that were still being repaired.

This year, the original bike route is back and the only concern is one strip of road along Plaridel St. in Mandaue City.

John Pages, who joined the bike out, said the roads from Radisson Hotel to the South Road Properties (SRP) tunnel entrance to Cebu City, which was avoided last year is now fully paved.

But the new concern is Plaridel St. in Mandaue City, which has a lot of potholes.

Pages said he hopes the organizers will do everything so the potholes can be repaired before the race.

Pages said that if it not fixed, it could be dangerous for the bikers especially those who are not familiar with the roads.

The organizers, led by Sunrise Events Inc. (SEI) project director Princess Galura, Cebu Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino, local government unit officials, medical team director Dr. Peter Mancao, Philippine National Police, marshals and traffic personnel checked the bike route and also found the same spot with potholes.

Galura said they asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 to repair the road as there is still enough time before the Ironman on Aug. 2

“The DPWH need to check the potholes because this could lead to accidents,” Galura said.

“As organizers, the first thing that we will do is to tell DPWH 7 to repair it as much as they can. The next step is to tell the participants during the race briefing this Saturday what they can expect on that part of the road so they will be cautious when they pass that area,” she said.

Galura said they need to have a good road for the race because the participants have different skills.

”We can’t assume that they all know how to handle when they pass these potholes. For some it could cause flat tires or broken chains and if you don’t know how to fix it your race is over, unless you find a technician,” Galura said. (PNA) CTB/EB/MP