MARIVELES, Bataan — A newcomer to the international stage and a battle-tested veteran stamped their class as the inaugural 5150 FAB Triathlon champions, drawing heavily on their superior bike-handling skills and mastery of Bataan’s notorious climbs to deliver emphatic victories at the Freeport Area of Bataan on Sunday.

Local ace Erik Esperanzate shook off a sluggish swim with a blistering assault in the bike leg — his strongest discipline — before outkicking James Van Ramoga in the final run to secure the overall crown in the 1.5-kilometer swim, 40-km bike, and 10-km run race with a time of two hours and 31:47 minutes.

“I made it up on the bike (stage) where I am strong. Then, I joined them in running,” said Esperanzate, who relished a triumphant debut in his first international triathlon.

The 18-year-old standout from Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Bataan, already a familiar face in local competitions and a former Batang Pinoy podium finisher in criterium cycling, pieced together splits of 29:03 (swim), 1:12:47 (bike), and 47:42 (run). But it was in the bike leg where he soared — literally and figuratively — using intimate knowledge of Bataan’s intimidating gradients to break the race open.

Where others struggled, Esperanzate thrived. The steep ascents that forced several participants to hop off and carry their bikes became his battleground and the technical descents that demanded precision and daring served as his launching pad.

Ramoga came in second in 2:32:58 while Finland’s Jamo Makelainen snatched third place honors in 2:41:09.

In the women’s division of the inaugural race organized by Sunrise Events Inc. in cooperation with FAB, Nicole Andaya again proved why inaugural Olympic-distance races suit her perfectly, powering her way to the overall title with a decisive performance in the bike segment, where she recorded 1:29:37 on her way to a 2:52:53 total clocking that included 0:28:32 in swim and 0:51:05 in run.

“I really like the bike course because it's uphill, and pain is part of triathlon,” said Andaya, who also won the first 5150 Dapitan last year. 

“But when you reach the top, you see the view of the whole Bataan, which I really enjoy.”

Known for her prowess on long climbs and her calm control on sharp descents, Andaya attacked the bike course with a climber’s rhythm and a descender’s fearlessness. 

The dramatic elevation changes that rattled many racers fed her momentum — every turn, peak and plunge only sharpened her lead. She also drew inspiration from the local communities that lined the course, cheering athletes as they rolled into town.

Nica Virtucio timed 3:00:23 to place second while Jayvee Guemo finished third in 3:01:52.

The challenging terrain, made even tougher by breezy conditions under overcast skies, played directly into the strengths of the local athletes. Familiarity with Bataan’s punishing slopes and winding descents allowed homegrown competitors to dominate the other categories in the men’s side.

Both Esperanzate and Andaya topped their respective age groups as well — Esperanzate ruling the 16-19 division, and Andaya leading the 30-34 bracket — further cementing their mastery of a course defined by its climbs, its downhills and its unforgiving beauty.

The milestone event marked Bataan’s first foray into endurance racing, reinforcing the province’s commitment to showcasing its rich history, expanding economic footprint, and growing reputation as a fast-rising sports tourism hub.