Last 2010, Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) gathered the country’s best mountain-bikers to form its own off-road riding team. The bikers immediately showed their full potentials, dominating most cycling competitions they joined here and abroad. From then until this 2014, the initially cycling-oriented team evolved into a more rounded group of athletes sporting the moniker “Isuzu D-MAX Multisport Team”. With the addition of celebrity/athlete Matteo Guidicelli, Isuzu’s inaugural athletics team is looking forward to dominate more competitions.
Guidicelli has already proved his worth to the team, bringing home the highest finish of any D-MAX Multisport athlete during the global 2013 Xterra Off-road Triathlon. Persisting through gruelling lengths of swimming, cycling, and running, he finished first in the 22-24 year-old bracket.
Just like their namesake best-selling pickup, D-MAX, the team is an elite group of individuals who are not only capable in any environment, but also have playful spirits and an extreme inclination towards adventure.
“Whether in professions or recreational pursuits, competition breeds excellence. And the people who strive to become the best in both areas deserve no less when it comes to vehicles. With its mix of power and strength, practicality and luxury, the Isuzu D-MAX is unmatched in addressing the requirements of Filipinos who seek for the perfect companion in both work and play,” said IPC President Nobuo Izumina.
Adding to IPC’s impressive performance for the year’s first half, the D-MAX Multisport Team likewise posted impressive results in the competitions it joined.
They consistently finished in the podiums during their January and February events. In the Cross-Country division of the 7-11 Mountain Bike Challenge, EJ Flores and Jeff Pacinpane took gold and bronze respectively in the Age 19-24 bracket. Jek Rivera in the 16-18 group, and Edward Tuazon from the Age 50+ category both took second place. Meanwhile, Angelica Limjoco placed third in the Women’s Elite group.
March also saw the triathletes posting top finishes in three competitions. At Adrenaline Rush 4’s Cross-Country division, Flores took home silver in the 21-30 group, with Tuazon finished the same in the Age 50+ bracket.
They continued this domination throughout the 2014 Xterra Off-Road Triathlon Series which was held in Liloan, Cebu. Taking home golds were Joseph Miller in the Filipino Open Elite Category, Noel Salvador in Age 40-44, Jomer Lim in the 30-34 bracket, Angelica Limjoco in Age 25-29, and Alvin Timbol in Ages 40-44 Lite Race. Ricardo Salvador added a bronze medal for the team, with Miller being crowned third overall in the Full Race.
Joseph Miller and Philip Duenas also placed second and third respectively in the Filipino Open Elite category of the year’s 2014 Subic Challenge Triathlon. Lim placed sixth in the 30-35 class.
The D-MAX Team also made its presence felt during the first leg qualifiers for the Downhill Riders’ Organization of the Philippines (DROP) National Series. Three athletes notched gold: Jerich Farr in Professionals, Frederick Farr in Experts, and Jing Malabanan in the 40-49 group. Adding to their haul were Welmer Velayo’s silver in the 40-49 bracket, and Epi Cruz’s bronze in the 30-39 category.
Upcoming Competitions
The team recently contended in one of the Philippines’ grandest triathlon, the Cobra Ironman 70.3. This August will also see the father-son duo of Frederick and Jerich Farr participating in the 2014 Asian MTB Championship in Kundasang Malaysia after qualifying in the Masters B and Juniors Categories, respectively, during the country qualifier held in Danao, Cebu.
Following these competitions, the team will undergo training in anticipation of the Xterra World Championships to be held in Maui, Hawaii later this October. Joseph Miller will be leading the group in to battle as he joins the professionals’ category after blazing through the Philippines and Asia Pacific Championships.