Cycling holds final tryout for SEAG

MANILA, Philippines - The Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (ICFP) will hold its final tryout tomorrow at Palo Alto in the Sierra Madre Mountains to determine the composition of the Philippine team to the Laos SEA Games this December.

ICFP president Mikee Romero said he expected the country’s top cyclists to join the tryout as the country is determined to put up a decent show in the coming biennial event.

The Philippine cycling team collected four golds in the Ratchasima, Thailand edition two years ago.

“We hope to form the best squad for the SEA Games, so I’m appealing to all our cyclists to show their love for the country by taking part in the tryout,” said Romero.

Joel Calderon, the rising star from Guimba, Nueva Ecija, hopes to continue his hot streak, having won two individual time trial (ITT) races – one in Boso-boso in Antipolo and the other at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.

“We Nueva Ecija cyclists are basically individual racers, that’s why we try to prove our stuff in this category,” said Calderon.

Also in the top list for possible inclusion in the RP team are Benito Lopez, Rey Martin, Rodolfo Malangsa and Irish Velenzuela.

Other candidates are Waren Davadilla, Alfie Catalan, Jay Tolentino and Emil Pablo.

Col. Arnold Taberdo said the selection process for the mountain bike squad is slated on Sept.18 and 19, at Timberland in San Mateo, Rizal.

Romero also disclosed that junior campaigners (17 years and below) will compete in the Batang Pinoy in Bacolod in November in preparation for the Youth Olympic Games next year in Singapore.