Pinoy riders test mettle vs foreign bets as Ronda bikefest fires off

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino riders headed by former champions Irish Valenzuela of Army, Mark Galedo of 7Eleven and Santy Barnachea of Navy-Standard Insurance will carry the fight for the host country when the Ronda Pilipinas International 2014 unfurls with a 66-kilometer Stage One at the Quezon City Circle.

Valenzuela, Galedo and Barnachea, who ruled the first three stagings before Ronda went international for the first time this year, are all expected to race with pride as they battle not just against themselves but also against some of the best Asia and the world has to offer.

The 28-year-old Galedo, the second edition winner and reigning Southeast Asian Games gold medalist in Myanmar last December, for one, said he's in the best shape of his life.

"This is probably the best shape I've been into the whole year and I hope to do good in this race," said Galedo in Filipino.

Same with Valenzuela, who has moved to Army after his LPGMA-American Vinyl team disbanded.

"I'm in good shape and I will try my best to make my countrymen and the country proud," said a trimmed Valenzuela.

A whopping cash pot amounting to P7.3 Million is at stake, with the individual and team overall champion receiving Php600,000 apiece in this event presented by LBC, the largest courier and cargo company, along with sponsors  MVP Sports Foundation, NLEX, Maynilad, PLDT and Mitsubishi, Versa 2 Way Radio, Standard Insurance with Air Asia Zest as minor sponsor.

To ensure that Filipinos get a fair share of the total pot, organizers have also allotted Php400,000 to the top Filipino rider and the same amount to the best Filipino team of this race that drew participation from seven international squads, including one from The Netherlands, and seven local teams.

"It's all systems go for Ronda Pilipinas International 2014," said Ronda Sports Director Moe Chulani in the team presentation ceremonies at the Hotel Rembrandt in Quezon City Thursday.

"We made it a point that only a maximum of 60 percent of the prizes will be won by foreign riders or teams to give our local riders extra incentive and motivation to strive harder," he added.

Valenzuela will captain an Army team composed of former Tour king Alfie Catalan, Alvin Benosa, Reynaldo Navarro, Marvin Tapic and Daniel Asto, while Galedo will skipper a squad comprising of Baler Ravina, Cris Joven, Edmundo Nicolas, Jr., Ryan Boots Cayubit and Mark Julius Bordeos.

Barnachea, one of the most seasoned riders in the 84-man, 14-team field more than half of which are foreigners, rides with a team packed with a combination of seasoned and youthful crew of Lloyd Lucien Reynante, Joel Calderon, Jan Paul Morales, Rudy Roque and George Oconer.

Roadbike Philippines, half of the Bong Sual-managed side that won the team crown last year, tabbed two foreign riders in Spaniard Edgar Nieto and Brit Daniel Patten to reinforce the locals, Ronnel Hualda, Nelson Martin, Carlos Gasmen and Dominic Perez while PLDT-Maynilad is coached by American Chris Allison and composed of under-23 riders Ronald Oranza, Joshua Carino, Rustom Lim, Junrey Navarra, Ronald Lomotos and captain Mark Bonzo.

The regions down South will also be represented this year by Team Cycleline Butuan Mindanao of March McQuinn Aleonar, Nino Surban, Riemon Lapaza, Tots Oledan, Vicmar Vicente and Jemico Brioso and Team Cebu-Kalit Phl Air Force of ageless warrior Warren Davadilla, Tomas Martinez, Jr., Oscar Rindole, Joseph Milanes, Lito Atilano and Elmer Navarro.

It will not be an easy ride though.

Race organizers have invited seven international teams – Netherland's Dutch Global Cycling Team, Japan's Matrix Powertag Continental Team, Taiwan's Gusto Continental Team, the Malaysian national team, Thailand-based CCN Continental Cycling Team, South Korea's Uijeongby City Cycling Team and Infinite-Singha Cycling Team – to test the Filipinos' real mettle.

The Malaysians are one of the teams to watch, having pocketed a silver and a bronze medal in last December's Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar, while reigning SEAG gold medalist Ariya Phounsavath of Laos will spearhead Infinite-Singha – in what will turn out to be a rematch with Galedo, Oranza and Lim, who combined to rake in a gold and two bronzes in the biennial meet.

Interestingly, the Dutch cyclists – Wim Botman, Jeoren Breewel, Harm Van den Sanden, Riys Pieters and Mike Terpstra are all expected to pack power and strength as they all stand at least six feet tall in the annual race backed by Shimano and Cannondale bikes as neutral bike sponsors, the Department of Tourism and the Phl National Police headed by Allan Purisima.

The Filipinos though should have the advantage due to their familiarity with the roads and race routes.

"The foreign participants are strong to tell you the truth," said Ronda race director Ric Rodriguez. "But I have faith in the Filipinos' hearts and we are also more familiar with the routes."