By MARK REY MONTEJO
Rising star Thirdy Mana-ay took the spotlight as he delivered the lone gold for Team Philippines in the recently concluded 2026 Thailand MTB Cup in Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi.
The 18-year-old Mana-ay outkicked his rivals in the 4.1-kilometer, five-lap cross-country Olympic race, clocking in one hour and 50 seconds to rule the Junior Men division.
He bested Indonesian Achmad Dhani (1:01:29) and Thai Natchanon Chaidi (1:03:09).
Apart from his golden haul, the Santa Barbara, Iloilo also earned 20 UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) points to jump from No. 135 to No. 65 with 92 total points.
On Women Elite, Shagne Yaoyao fell short to make it to Top Three as she crossed the line at one hour, 12 minutes, and 27.8 seconds, good only for fifth place.
Indonesia’s Sayu Dewi topped the event in 1:06:49.7, followed by Japan’s Yui Ishida (1:10:08.08, Kazakhstan’s Tatyana Geneleva (1:10:30), and Malaysia’s Phi Kun Pan (1:10:57.1).
Other Filipino bets in Adrian Nacario and John Andre Aguja participated in Men Elite and Men U23, finishing 6th and 9th, respectively.
