| Fadhil Yunus |
UNITED Kingdom rider Christopher Gallagher braved the scorching heat to win the elite category of the Royal Brunei Enduro 2018 in his first taste of Asian circuit at Tasik Sarubing yesterday.
The MTB specialist clocked 22.52 ahead of his compatriot Chris Hutchens who posted a time of 24:10 in second place and Norshahriel Haizat Ahmad Nazali of Malaysia with a time of 25.09 in third.
Christopher has been actively participating in the Enduro events this year especially in Europe and North America but the Brunei stint marked his Asian debut.
“This is my first time to Asia. It was a battle just to get through today and it is good to win,” said Christopher in an interview with the Bulletin on the sideline of the prize presentation ceremony and dinner at the Youth Centre in the capital last night.
Asked how he coped with competing under the Brunei sun, Christopher said, “Just drink a lot of water and a lot of 100Plus!
“I’ve been racing Enduro races for about four years now but I have been riding mountain bikes for over 10 years,” the Edinburgh rider further said.
Christopher, who has competed in 21 races this year which was predominantly in Europe and North America, called the competition level different than the ones he faced closer to home.
“It is a bit different because it is not the same competition level out here as you get back home. But it was a good battle with my good friend Chris (Hutchens) and the Bruneian guys.
“It is a lot less people racing here. Normally there will be at least 300 people in the race at home,” he said.
The newly crowned Royal Brunei Enduro Series winner also singled out praise on the race conditions of the track in his first Asian appearance.
“I thought the track was really good. Jason (Pickett) and his team had done a lot of work.
“It is just different in the jungle as it is dry and humid as supposed to home which is wet all the time.”
Other winners also included South Korea’s Junho Kim in the prodigy category and Brunei’s Liyana Zakaria in the femenino category.
Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong presented the prizes.