New cycling chief calls for open tryouts

MANILA, Philippines - In one big step to unite the cycling community in the country, Philcycling (Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines) president Dr. Mikee Romero yesterday called on all stakeholders to allow their riders to join its tryouts for the coming Laos SEA Games.

“It doesn’t matter whether you are affiliated to the other group, everybody is welcome,” said Romero. “Let us show our love for our country by taking part in this tryout. Time is not on our side now, don’t allow politics to ruin our lofty status in the region.”

The tryouts, according to Romero, will be held for three consecutive Sundays, starting on July 12. He also stressed that there will no seeding in the composition of the RP team this time.

“Our objective here is to select the best available riders for the SEA Games and keep our winning tradition in the regional tournament,” added Romero, owner of Harbour Centre and Oracle Residences that won seven straight championships in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL).

Romero is hoping that the country’s best riders, including the bemedalled Victor Espiritu, will join the tryout.

Romero is likewise inviting the group of Tagaytay Mayor Bambol Tolentino to join the tryouts where deserving athletes will get a monthly allowance of P12,000 to P15,000 from the association in their build-up for the SEA Games.

The gold medalist in the SEA Games, according to Romero, will receive a bonus of P200,000 with the silver medalist getting P100,000 and bronze winner P50,000.

Romero is also calling the so-called sports guardians to stop playing favoritism because such action runs against the basic principle of the Olympic movement.

“We’re all here to help lift the status of Philippine sports,” said Romero. “So let us unite for the betterment of sports in the country. Hatred has no place in the Olympic movement.”

Since the SEA Games host has limited facilities, only four events will be contested in the biennial event, namely: 40kms individual time trials, criterium race, mountain bike events cross country and downhill.

To give extra challenge to the riders, the ICFP Board approved that the tryouts of four events be held in the vicinity of Baras, Tanay, Mabitac, Jala-jala, Pililia in Rizal.

Registration: Philcycling office, Room 207, Torres Building, 321 Katipunan Ave. in front of Ateneo.