RP riders vie in Ipoh, Bangkok

Nine track cyclists, led by Alfie Catalan and Baby Marites Bitbit, are competing in two tough Asian track (velodrome) races beginning today in Malaysia — the Sultan Azlan Shah Track Asia Cup 2006 in Ipoh, Malaysia for Round 1 and in Bangkok, Thailand for Round 2 starting Monday.

With Catalan and Bitbit, both gold medal winners in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games, are Paterno Curtan Jr., Carlo Jasul, Paulo Manapul, Arnold Marcelo, Alvin Benosa and Edwin Paragoso. Coach is Joselito Santos while Candido Querimit is equipment custodian.

The team’s participation, part of the team’s buildup for December’s Doha Asian Games, was made possible through direct assistance from the Philippine Sports Commission. Air21, Mail and More, Dynamic Outsource Solutions Inc. and Elixir Sports are also supporting the team.

PhilCycling president Bert Lina said he is confident the team would perform strongly in the annual race, which gathers the best track riders in the continent. After the velodrome racing in the Asia Cup, the national road team intends to participate in the Asian Cycling Championships in Kuala Lumpur.

National head coach Jomel Lorenzo and junior rider Julius Mark Bonzo will also take part in the Continental Cycling Center coaches and cyclists training course in Bangkok July 14-24. The PSC also supported Lorenzo and Bonzo’s training through direct funding.