104 riders chase glory as Ronda hits road today

SORSOGON CITY, Philippines — Four former champions and a hundred determined aspirants go for fame and glory as the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2022 hits the road today, kicking off a 10-stage race starting here and ending in Baguio on March 20.

Defending champion George Oconer and 2019 winner Ronald Oranza of Navy Standard Insurance and two-time Ronda kings Santy Barnachea and Jan Paul Morales of Excellent Noodles loom as the riders to beat in a competitive 104-man, 13-team field chasing a place in history.

“I’m ready to defend my title,” said the 29-year-old Oconer, the last rider to reign supreme in Ronda before COVID-19 came along.

“We’re coming in Ronda fully prepared. We’ve been training for a year now,” said the 47-year-old Barnachea, the inaugural 2011 winner and 2015 titlist who came out of retirement to go at it one final time.

“And we thank our boss for the continuous support,” he added referring to Excellent Noodles owner Alex Bilian.

Ronda’s 11th edition unfolds with two stages – the 12.3-kilometer Individual Time Trial at 8 a.m. and the 59.4km Team Trial at 1 p.m – on opening day with both to be flagged off at the Provincial Capitol and ending at the Rampeolas Boulevard here.

“Expect a thrilling race because we’re all excited for the return of LBC Ronda Pilipinas after we were forced to move it this year due to the pandemic,” said LBC Ronda project director Bernadette Guerrero.

Dominic Perez and Jonel Carcueva of Go for Gold, Marvin Tapic and Cris Joven of Army, Rudy Roque of Dreyna, Sherwin Carrera of Eagle Cement, Warren Bordeos of Champs Café and Marcelo Felipe and Rustom Lim of Team Nueva Ecija are also riders to watch.

Also out to make an impact are Bike Kings Laguna, Vantage Ilocos Norte, VPharma, Team Quezon Province and Team Ilocos Sur.

Navy coach Reinhard Gorantes believes the last three legs will determine the winner.