Philippine cyclist finishes at 14th but breaks national record

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-12-11 08:47

Filipino Alfie Catalan finished only 14th in a field of 26 in the men's individual pursuit cycling finals of the 15th Asian Games, but he broke the Philippine record, local media reported on Sunday.

Apart from being the best-placed Southeast Asian, Catalan smashed the four-year old Philippine record with his clocking of four minutes 48.275 seconds, said a report by GMA news network.

According to a PhilCycling press release from Doha, Catalan's time smashed the old mark of four minutes 55.66 seconds set by Ronald Gorantes in the 2002 World Cup in Kunming, China.

"It was a good race for Alfie," head coach Jomel Lorenzo said, adding "he poured everything he got and we are happy about his new Philippine record."

Catalan, 26, was paired with Iraq's Mihsien Reauf, whom he lapped twice over the 4-km event. The Iraqi clocked five minutes 20.48 seconds.



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