Ronald Oranza vows repeat in tougher Ronda Pilipinas 2019

MANILA, Philippines — Newly crowned Ronda Pilipinas king Ronald Oranza will only have a couple of weeks rest before resuming his training for the Philippine National Games and Le Tour. But this early, he’s training his sights on a repeat Ronda feat in a tougher, more challenging edition when the LBC-bankrolled event holds races in the Visayas and Mindanao in 2019.

“We’ll return to the Visayas and Mindanao next year and we’ll start in Davao City,” said , Ronda executive project director Moe Chulani Chulani during awards rites at The Tent in Filinvest, Alabang Sunday night.

Coming off an emphatic victory, Oranza said he’d be more than ready to defend the crown next year and join the elite roster of two-time Ronda winners Jan Paul Morales and Santy Barnachez.

“I’ll do my best to win it again next year,” said the 25-year-old Oranza moments after crowning himself the new Ronda champion in dominant fashion.

The Villasis, Pangasinan native said he’ll take the much-needed rest then plunge back into training for the PNG set next month in Cebu and the foreign-flavored Le Tour in May.

“We are scheduled to join international and local races this year so we have to be prepared,” said Oranza, who posted an aggregate time of 34 hours, 11 minutes and 23 seconds in beating Navy-Standard Insurance teammate Morales by 11 minutes. 

Oranza made his move early in the Vigan-Pagudpud Stage Two which he ruled then held way with nine podium finishes he highlighted with three stage triumphs.