Race Report: The Bongabon Four Cross Track

Bongabon

Vibes 4X

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Words: Walrus // Photos: Dugong

Summer in the Philippines is almost over, but Bongabon Bike Park gave us one last hoorah for the riding season. After being postponed to a week later due to a supertyphoon, we’re back at the place where Enduro, Downhill, even XC and Gravel events have been held, and treated to one of the most exciting race formats – MTB Four Cross!

The rural hush before the Four Cross havoc.

Race Director/Park Owner/Racer/All Out Legend Edrie Ocampo warming up before Saturday practice.

The Filipino Shuttle Special

Four riders face off on a 400m track packed with jumps, drops, and berms with the singular goal of getting to the end first. Close racing and rubbing elbows with your competitors are commonplace in this format. With a track this short, emotions run high. Competition is expected, but combat is discouraged.

Two 15-foot doubles welcome the riders to the Bongabon Four Cross Track.

The Bongabon Four Cross Track starts with two 15-foot doubles leading to a left hand berm, onto a right hand wallride. Riders have the option of using the berms to clear the 20-foot gap jump on the left side of the track, or use the inside line on both corners and go straight to the whoops sections instead.

A short sprint after the whoops section brings the rider to a small drop onto a sharp left hander, towards the drop/rock garden portion. Racers can then choose between hitting the feature on the left, or slicing through the rock garden on the right. Air time or rock and roll: you pick your poison.

The last section of the track is a loose right 90 degree right hander that takes the racers to the final 15-foot wooden table top onto the finish line.

Men’s Open competitors letting it all hang out on the starting doubles.

With features aplenty, crashes are almost inevitable. Good thing most riders finished the race unscathed.

Edrie admiring his track and his DIY starting gate made from spare car parts, household items and a dash of ingenuity.

Open Cat favorite Kimi Grande put in the best time for the day at just over 31s.

International Rider/Course Designer Kokoy “Coco” Dela Cruz admiring his body of work. Really nice Retro Kawi smoker too.

Marc “T-Bone” Sicat, known for his aggressive riding style as evidenced by the trail of bodies left in the wake of his bike, making last minute adjustments to his rig.

Gideon “Biggie Small” Sapico showing his battle scars from a mishap during morning practice. He gave a whole new definition to the word “grillz” by skewering his lower lip with his dental braces. We asked him what happened — all he could say was “never get high on your own supply.”

Irraniel “Local Boy” Celeste with a suicide no hander on second doubles. He’s actually not from Bongabon, but did so many practice runs that the shuttle crew decided to give him a locals-only discount.

The practice runs didn’t prepare Local Boy from a perfect blocking pass from his competitor causing him to crash into the course markers.

MTB 4 Cross categorically is an individual sport but Team Iloilo definitely showed everyone that teamwork is a major factor in getting results. Faster riders were no match for their coordinated blocks and passes.

Coco Dela Cruz discussing the everyday struggles of being a Goutfather.

The Megaman (200+ lbs) category lived up to the expectation with big passes and even bigger crashes with Marc “T-Bone” Sicat at the helm.

With close racing, most preferred the whoops section over the faster but higher stakes 20 footer gap jump.

With Four Cross, clashes are almost expected. As a wise couple once said “Prepare for trouble…

…and make it double!”

Overall Champion was decided with a final heat between the winners of all other categories. CG “Bruno Mars” Bachar worked his 24K Magic and emerged as the victor.

Volt “Ghost Rider” Bool, not one to shy away from sending it, was one of the few racers who chose to hit the 20 footer.

Clinton “Birahe” Li Chuan leading with a trail of bodies in his wake.

Edrie on his ebike (with the motor turned off) getting his wings.

Axel Da Mushroom Bayucan was leading before the last turn of the track when his pedal, along with his shoe, decided to take a break from all the action. He still managed to do the last few features of the race with one foot on the pedal, and just a sock on the left foot.

Results were quick and accurate thanks to Sir Wilson and his team over at WJC Timing

T-Bone ecstatic with his body count for the day.

Dennis “Peanut Better” Acdol with a win over the young guns at the Open Category.

Volt and CG scrambling for mtb freebies like there’s Versace on the Floor.

Overall and 20 to 29 Champ CG “Bruno Mars” Bachar feeling like a Billionaire with the prizes and hardware that he and his team had hauled.

Team Iloilo dominated this race with Dennis “Peanut Better” Acdol and CG “Bruno Mars” Bachar getting multiple category wins.

Results:

Executive Category

1. Jason Herbolario
2. Walrus Halamani
3. Roener Federico
4. Aljalil Rasuman

Megamen Category

1. Samuel Obmerga
2. John Paul Dalisay
3. Marc Sicat
4. Diego Capili

14 and Below Category

1. Justine Apostol
2. Lhian Companero
3. Austin Bonifacio

15 to 19 Category

1. Jay Gonzales
2. Jerwin Villoria
3. Axel Bayucan

20 to 29 Category

1. CG Bachar
2. Lorence Aragon
3. Samuel Obmerga
4. Kimi Grande

30 to 39 Category

1. Dennis Acdol
2. Delun Lunasco
3. Virgo Senocbit
4. Marc Sicat

40 to 49 Category

1. Ely Zapanta
2. Dexter Sanchez
3. Ryan Solinap

50 and Above Category

1. Jason Herbolario
2. Alfredo Sanchez
3. Jose Michael Lorenzana

Open Category

1. Dennis Acdol
2. Delun Lunasco
3. Kimi Grande
4. Hugh Exequiel De Lansig

Overall Category

1. CG Bachar
2. Samuel Obmerga
3. Dennis Acdol
4. Ely Zapanta

Re-introducing a race format is no mean feat, especially for something as demanding as Four Cross. With the last race held more than 6 years ago, the newer generation of riders may not be as familiar with the format as Enduro or Downhill. However, the future for Four Cross racing is still promising as we have no other than Edrie Ocampo and his team pushing for the resurgence of the sport.

The local biking scene cannot ask for anyone better to lead the drive to Make Four Cross Great Again. Fasten your helmets and get ready, because the Four Cross comeback is about to hit the ground pedaling!