50 slots up for grabs in Visayas leg of Ronda 2015

MANILA, Philippines – The three-stage Visayas Qualifying Leg of the Ronda Pilipinas 2015 presented by LBC slated Feb. 11-13 in the Negros island will stake a total of 50 slots for elite riders and an extra four for promising junior cyclists.

"The Visayas qualifying round will now take in the top 50 elite and top four junior riders after three days of racing in Negros," said Yabut.

Yabut also said the Luzon qualifying leg, which is scheduled on Feb. 16 and 17 in Tarlac and Antipolo City, respectively, for its part, will stake a total of 34 slots – 30 for elite and four for junior riders.

The 88 Visayas and Luzon qualifiers will then join last year's winner Reimon Lapaza of Butuan, the nine-man national team spearheaded by Mark Galedo and a composite European team in the Championship round slated Feb. 22-27 unfolding in Greenfield City in Sta. Rosa and ending in mountaintop Baguio.

Meanwhile, Ronda Pilipinas Executive Project Director Moe Chulani reiterated that Ronda is ferrying all Mindanao riders from Dipolog City to Dumaguete City on Feb. 10 for free.

"We will ferry aspiring Mindanao riders with their bikes from Dipolog to Dumaguete for free," said Chulani. "There will be a 4 a.m., 5 a.m. and sometimes 10 a.m. trip and a Ronda Pilipinas and LBC representative will be there to assist you."

Upon arrival, Chulani said riders should go straight to Bethel Guesthouse Hotel along the baywalk in Rizal Avenue, or just near the Dumaguete port, where registration and payment will include one night accommodation and meals per stage inclusive of race kits.

Visayas' Stage One will start at the Negros Oriental Prov'l Capitol and end in Sipalay City Plaza (172.7 kilometers for elite, 120.2 kms for juniors); Stage Two will start at the Bacolod City Plaza and end at the Bacolod Government Center via Don Salvador Benedicto and San Carlos (158 kms for elite, 110.5 kms for juniors) on Feb. 12; and Stage Three will open at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol and end in Cadiz City (123 kms for elite and juniors).

Meanwhile, Ronda announced Tuesday that #Tech1 Corp. will provide the race with ICOM and VERSA base and handheld radios for the fifth straight edition after Chulani and #Tech1 Corp vice president for channel sales Roland Cunana signed an agreement.

The race is sponsored by Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation, Maynilad, NLEX, Standard Insurance, Petron, Greenfield City and Radio1 Solutions and sanctioned by PhilCycling headed by Cavite Congressman Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino.

Interested parties may get their registration form online at Ronda Pilipinas' official Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/RondaPilipinas, and Twitter account, @rondapilipinas, or aspirants may register a day or two hours before Qualifying Race Day for just P1,000 per entry per Stage.