Unique 2016 Ronda bikathon

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

I WAS shocked to know from some of the participants in the 2016 Ronda Pilipinas bikathon that only the champion of each leg (Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao) was given a prize. No runners-up prizes as well as incentives for the survivors. There were also no team prizes in that race that started in Butuan City in Mindanao last February 20 and ended in Baguio City on April 8 via Bago City and Roxas City in Visayas on March 17. Unlike the five Rondas that was launched in 2011 won by our province mate Santy Barnachea of Umingan and also last year, this year’s 15-day Ronda, a point-system competition won by Marikina City stalwart Jan Paul Morales, 31, for winning the Mindanao and Luzon legs. (Our Pangasinense rider Ronald Oranza of Villasis took the Visayas leg). There’s no overall champion for the three legs which was supposed to be a clear victory of Morales.

I WAS shocked to know from some of the participants in the 2016 Ronda Pilipinas bikathon that only the champion of each leg (Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao) was given a prize. No runners-up prizes as well as incentives for the survivors. There were also no team prizes in that race that started in Butuan City in Mindanao last February 20 and ended in Baguio City on April 8 via Bago City and Roxas City in Visayas on March 17. Unlike the five Rondas that was launched in 2011 won by our province mate Santy Barnachea of Umingan and also last year, this year’s 15-day Ronda, a point-system competition won by Marikina City stalwart Jan Paul Morales, 31, for winning the Mindanao and Luzon legs. (Our Pangasinense rider Ronald Oranza of Villasis took the Visayas leg). There’s no overall champion for the three legs which was supposed to be a clear victory of Morales.

My sources also revealed that the champion of each leg received P50,000 and stage winners collected P15,000, P10,000 and P5,000 for the top three finishers and the fourth to tenth placers earned P1,000 apiece.

I’m an avid follower of Ronda and I noted that these prizes were never reported by media. What I noted was some cyclists from the Le Tour de Filipinas like former titlists Baler Ravina of Asingan and Mark John Galedo of Manila, to name some, did not join this year’s Ronda.

Noticeably, the Ronda this year was less competitive and the elite riders from the Philippine/Standard Insurance and LBC teams dominated the event. Yes, it is a unique race and this never ever happened before even during the days of the Tour of Luzon, Marlboro Tour, Tour Pilipinas and Padyak Pinoy bikathons.

Anyway, despite the disappointment of the contestants, the participants could not do anything since they were under contract with the companies they represented. The clamor of the many participants is to bring back the original format of the old Ronda which according to them is a lot better than this innovation. Let’s see next year perhaps this year’s Ronda was just a plain and unique experiment.

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My big thanks to the Mapandan municipal government headed by the town’s chief executive Maximo M. Calimlim, Jr. and his staff led by the alluring Joseleda G. Muyano for their magnanimous support that made the 2016 Mapandan Cycling Challenge a very successful event held on April 17. It was won by Villasis ex-pro rider Bonijoe Martin of Villasis, (See related story on this page). Likewise to cycling avid followers Engr. Manny Roa Arenas of Dagupan City (cousin of presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte), Engr. Rodolfo ‘Boy” Dion and balikbayan Engr. Mario dela Cruz of Mangaldan. Of course, the Mapandan PNP headed by P/Inspector Samuel Arcano and the town’s CVOs. Without them the affair might not have been so successful. See you again next year.

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My heartfelt sympathy goes to the family of Mangaldan municipal councilor Alfredo Soriano for losing their beloved family head last week due to stroke. Fondly called “Kap Fredi” by his pals, the sports-minded, good looking and assiduous fifty-five year-old alderman was running for re-election. His son and media colleague Aldrin Soriano will take his place.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: And Jesus Christ said “Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” JOHN 13: 16-17

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