RP mountainbikers confident in pre-SEA Games

Even with little preparation, the National Mountainbike team members are confident they can pull a bountiful medal harvest in this weekend's pre-SEA Games Mountainbike Competition and Asian Invitational at the Ramon Durano Sr. Memorial Sports Complex in Danao City.

In a special SCOOP Forum at Baseline Sports and Recreational Center, members of the RP cross-country squad feels they can beat the visiting foreign riders.

Though their training is concentrated in Manila this year, majority of the team members are very familiar with the Danao terrain as it has been their home for a long time.

The RP squad, also hopes to duplicate their winning performances during the first Southeast Asian Mountainbike Championships also held in Danao.

Composing the RP squad are cross-country riders Niño Surban, Eusebio Quiñones, Rafael Dominico "Jojo" Cortes and March McQuinn Aleonar in the men's side.

Marites Bitbit and newcomer Nitzel Montebon are carrying the cudgels for RP in the distaff side.

The fifth entry for SEA Games, Frederick Feleciano could not make it to the pre-SEA Games due to illness.

For the downhill event, the RP colors will be carried by Joey Barba, Michael Borja, Parabanne Mendoza, Jefferson Odiviar and lone female entry Athena Beltran.

The RP squad hopes that the Cebuanos will support them through prayers and by being there in the venue even as they long for more support from the Philippine Sports Commission, Philcycling and the private companies, especially with their nutrition and equipment.

This weekend, the RP squad tackles bets from Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Hongkong and Taiwan.



The SEA Games mountainbike competition is set on November 28-29 in Danao City.