Old school rules at GFNY Philippines Asian Championship

Romeo Camingao rode an old steel bike equipped with borrowed carbon wheel set to take the GFNY Philippines crown last Sunday September 22

It was a case of out with the new and in the old for 48-year-old Romeo Camingao, a fulltime barber, who took the Asian Championship title this past weekend in Iloilo City.

Host city Iloilo came out in full force to support GFNY riders over the 133km long route and 63km middle distance route. The picturesque course and warm welcome from supporters are a unique experience when racing in the Philippines.

Over the competitive route, Camingao, who was on a Pro Continental Team until recently, equaled the efforts of other riders on high end, lighter, expensive bikes to come out victorious and take the win. His steel ‘junkshop’ bike which he had been using for a little more than a year was ‘upgraded’ for race day with a pair of carbon wheels, borrowed from a friend.

Camingao who comes from Marikina, has six children, and would somehow find the time to train everyday riding to and from work while helping raise his family.

Camingao won in an impressive time of 3:36:34, over 10 minutes ahead of second place, Ean Cajucom (3:47:16). Leopoldo Japitana Jr rounded out the podium in 3:48:16.

In the women’s race May Anne Mares completed a double Philippine crown by taking the victory in 4:49:43. As overall champions of the GFNY Asian Championship, both Mares and Camingao are awarded flights, hotel and entry in the racers corral to the GFNY NYC World Championship next May 17, 2020.

Mary Luz Shimizu of the Pitcairn Islandstook second in 4:52:58 and Bubbles Paraiso of the Philippines rounded out the ladies’ podium in 5:03:52.

“We loved the people coming out of the street and cheering. The communities really got behind this race making it so safe and a wonderful experience,” said GFNY co-founder and president, Lidia Fluhme. People who love cycling, should definitely mark down Iloilo as a must do on their bucket list.

VIDEO: 2019 GFNY Philippines Race Day

About GFNY

GFNY is the global cycling marathon brand with events held in NYC, Argentina, Bali-Indonesia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Italy, Jerusalem-Israel, Indonesia, Cozumel-Mexico, Monterrey-Mexico, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, República Dominicana, Santa Fe-USA and Uruguay.

Riders get to BE A PRO FOR A DAY ® by competing against others, themselves and the clock in a personal endurance challenge.

At all GFNY events, riders have the chance to qualify for the elite racer corral at the GFNY World Championship in NYC by placing in the top 10% (20% at regional championships) of their age group.

GFNY World Championship NYC

The 10th annual GFNY World Championship New York will be held on May 17, 2020. The race features the world’s most international peloton with riders from over 90 countries. Athletes take on a challenging 100-mile route from NYC to Bear Mountain to Fort Lee to compete against each other, the clock and themselves in a personal endurance challenge.

The official GFNY website is: www.gfny.com.