Cycling
SARDEA WINS PHILIPPINES DOWNHILL RACE
Veteran cyclist takes first in age group
PRESS RELEASE – What a weekend of downhill racing it was! In an incredible finish, James Sardea took 1st Place in his age group against some tough talent with decades of downhill experience. When asked how he prepared for a race like this, Sardea replied “I just continue to race MTB cross country and MTB National Championships the weekend before, to keep my bike strength strong. I’ve been flying back and forth to Manila to practice. I actually got 2nd place in the Florida Blanca Enduro Race Pampanga on February 25, 2024. The Coach beat me there. That made me really focused to win the Patiis Enduro Hardline.”
On March 10, 2024 six riders from Guam took to the Patiis Enduro Tracks in San Mateo, Rizal, Philippines over the weekend. James Sardea, Dan Petschauer, Jason Karcher, Drew Young, GCF Board Member Paje Butler, and our youngest rider of the group, Austin Butler.
Dan Petschauer and Jason Karcher both finished top ten in their respective classes and Drew Young was triumphant in completing the full race and setting some big goals for the rest of the year.
During practice runs with the big boys, unfortunately Austin Butler slipped a pedal just as he was entering a steep section of the trail and crashed out spraining his wrist and was unable to continue the race. His father and fellow downhill enthusiast, Paje Butler, took a hard spill during the practice run resulting in a bruised sternum, bruised ribs, swollen shoulder and knee, along with multiple lacerations to his hand and forearm. Wishing both Austin and Paje Butler speedy recoveries.
As for Sardea, he is excited to share, “All this training and racing is for preparation for the UCI DH Master World Championships in Cairns May 15-19th. I hope I will be ready to represent and rank with the top riders of the world…
“I would like to thank the Guam Cycling Federation, The Fly Racing Team Philippines for their inspiration and motivation. My coach Bans Mendoza for bringing out my competitive drive to win and enhancing my bike skills. And the Urban Fitness crew for their support.” – James Sardea
Photos by ECR Fotograpika and Playground Lens