LPGMA eyes individual title

CABANATUAN CITY , Philippines – Team champions in the Ronda Pilipinas last year, LPGMA-American Vinyl is hoping one of its cyclists could bring home the individual crown on its turf.

That wish has been getting closer to reality each day as two LPGMA-American Vinyl riders – skipper Irish Valenzuela and Cris Joven – remained in the hunt for the overall individual crown after 10 stages in the 15-leg bikathon.

“We talked about clinching the individual title after we won the team general classification last year and it seems Irish and Cris have been taking it seriously,’’ said LPGMA partylist representative Arnel Ty, owner of the multi-titled club together with cycling patron Eric Sy.

Valenzuela, gifted with powerful climbing skills, topped Stage 9 in Antipolo City to jump fourth overall while Joven, the sprint leader for the past eight stages, is also within sight of the P1-million individual champion’s prize at 9th, 4:30 off the pace.

If not for an unfortunate crash that opened a wide cut on Joven’s left hip, the rider from Iriga City could still be wearing the red jersey of leadership he took from Baler Ravina after Stage 8 in Lucena City.

“It’s better that we didn’t keep the red jersey for long. It builds up pressure that could affect our performance as a team,’’ said LPGMA-American Vinyl coach Renato Dolosa.

But the two-time Tour champion who steered the squad to the Ronda diadem and the Le Tour de Filipinas title two months ago couldn’t hide the fact that they’re indeed hot on the individual plum.

Dolosa said they have the weapons to pull off the feat with Rudy Roque, Rustom Lim, Ronnel Hualda and Edmundo Nicolas ready to backstop either Valenzuela or Joven when the Ronda veers toward severe punishment in two mountain stages in Baguio City beginning Thursday, considered as the deciding legs of the Tour.

Their collective efforts, plus the coaching acumen of Dolosa, have lifted the team to fifth overall from 12th place in the opening stages of the Ronda in Mindanao.

Dolosa is the architect of the team’s championship in the Ronda inaugurals last year as well as their victory in this year’s four-stage Le Tour de Filipinas.