GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Nathaniel Aquino of Pasig City beat Aldren John Decafe of Iloilo City in the dash to the line to rule the Batang Pinoy 2025 boys road race 16-17 year old category.
Aquino negotiated the 83.71-kilometer course at two hours, 10 minutes, and 24 seconds - one second ahead of Decafe – to capture the gold medal in his final Batang Pinoy.
Aquino and Decafe got ahead after the initial lead group had a spill going into the final loop of eight at the Albert Morrow Boulevard.
It was Aquino’s second gold medal in the Batang Pinoy after he also captured the individual time trial in the boys 15-16 years old category in Tagaytay City in 2023.
“Last na laro ko na sa Batang Pinoy. Next year, 18 na ako,” said Aquino.
Learning from the best
The 17-year-old Aquino said he got into cycling because of a well-known neighbor in the sport's community.
“Mga kapitbahay ko sila Kuya Junrey, mga Standard Insurance,” said Aquino, referring to Junrey Navarra of continental team Standard Insurance.
“After ng barracks nila (Navy), pag umuuwi sila, sumasama ako,” said Aquino.
Aquino usually rode 50 kilometers a day to Antipolo and back as part of his training for the Batang Pinoy. He was also trained by former cyclist Leonel ‘Tatay Tuks’ Dimaano.
“Nakapag-focus ako ng mas maayos dahil kay Tatay Tuks. Siya ‘yung nag-sacrifice sa ensayo namin. Mas napaghandaan namin ng mas maayos,” said Aquino.
Taking the bronze was Roy Benedict Plastina of Makati with a time of 2:10:54, 30 seconds behind Aquino.
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