RIYADH, 3 October 2003 — Alan Wood rode away from the pack to score his first victory of the season in the Saudi Hollandi Bank Riyadh Wheelers 40 km road race.
After patiently biding his time for 15 kilometers, it was an attack by George Morete that provided the springboard for Wood to press on the pedals and bid farewell to his companions. At this time the impressive field of 41 were still mainly intact, but seconds later they were split asunder and spread around the 5km circuit, unable to cut into Wood’s progress.
In the ensuing confusion, two chase groups quickly formed, the first contained most of the experienced Pinoy roadmen along with the two Robs, Patrick and Ervin.
Wood by this time had crossed the line and had time to look back at the exciting sprint for second place, taken by Jaime Sunga from Herbert Rom, Patrick, Redeen Platil, George Morete and Ervin.
Despite suffering breathing difficulties, Sunga held off the sprinters by starting his sprint into a head wind and still 800 meters from the line.
Just over a minute later, a strong Steve Decato powered away from the chase pack to take 8th place, ahead of Abdallah Al Sarhani. Next came Reiner Gocian, Ramil Gallardo, Charlie Dryden and Phil Green in close formation.
First Cat B and Master to cross the line was the familiar name of L.
Pentlebury who was again in the top half of the field in 14th place.
