Ronda

I hope that the 2011 LBC Ronda PIlipinas, the biggest cycling event in the country this year, will get off to a good start this weekend. We all know that the main sponsor, LBC, is lately having financial problems of its own.

The Ronda is a 20-day, 12 stage event totaling 1,650 km, with stage averaging 140km. The race will start in Cagayan de Oro and before proceeding to Dumaguete, Iloilo and Mindoro. The remaining stages will be held in Luzon starting in Batangas, Tarlac, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Baguio, Pampanga and the final stage will be held in Manila. Curiously, Cebu was bypassed.

Fifteen, 6-rider teams will be vying for top honors. Honestly, I haven’t been following the professional cycling in the country for a while. The squabble for the leadership of Philippine cycling is something that I don’t find interesting but there are familiar names and familiar teams in this Ronda like Lloyd Lucien Reynante, who will be riding for 7-11; Sante Barnachea and Baler Ravina for East Pangasinan, Joel Calderon for Nueva Ecija, Arnel Quirimit for C&W, Stalin Benito for Cagayan Valley, Warren Davadilla for the NCR, Emilio Atillano for Southern Tagalog, Eusebio Quiñones for Bicolandia, McQuinn Aleonar for Mindanao and Ronald Gorantes of Negros.

Of course Team Cebu is officially represented Jaybop Pagnanawon, Randy Carbonera, Albert Basirgo, Marvin Tapic and the Villarosa brothers, Jude Mar and Marjun. I say “officially” because the six riders passed the Ronda qualification race early this year held in Negros. Then last July, the Villarosa brothers were dumped controversially by the team backers and replaced by Asay Navarro and Brian Lozano.

Controversy is also following the main sponsor, LBC, when one of its company, LBC Bank, collapsed, leaving anxious depositors wondering what happened. I don’t know how LBC officials can justify putting up Php7million with for the Ronda and at the same time face their jittery depositors who are most likely going to lose their hard earned money.

Anyway, I hope that the LBC Ronda will come out unscathed. Philippine cycling needs this event to be successful, especially with all the negative happenings that have been going on these past few years.

Tour of Bohol and the Tour of Smiles (Ritchie Yu Cup)

Suddenly, Bohol has become a sports destination. It used to be that the only big time cycling event in the province was the Kia Ironlegs but lately, running and triathlon events are scheduled within this year. I guess people no understand that sports is a valuable tool in tourism.

This weekend will be the inaugural ToB, sponsored by the 3rd District of Bohol and organized by Bike King, one of the most respected race organizers for non-professional cycling events. The ToB is a 2-day, 2-race event that includes a 90km road race (Loay-Jagna-Loay) and a 20km individual time trial from Loay to Bilar via the famous “Man-made Forest”.

Another inaugural event this weekend is the Ritchie Yu Cup in Tacloban. This is organized by a friend, Jojo Yu, the proprietor of R8 Bike Shop. It’s a shame that two exciting cycling races have to be scheduled on the same weekend but that’s the way it is. I would have loved to join this event but I already have made a commitment to the ToB. I guess race organizers need to sit down and schedule their events that don’t compete with each other.