3 local bets join 2014 Le Tour

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

A WEEK from now, the fifth edition of the four-day Le Tour de Filipinas will be flagged off and only three of our local cyclists will join wearing the colors of the Philippines. Unlike the first four editions when at least ten or more Pangasinan riders saw action, Le Tour this year is very different in format with more foreign contestants participating, spearheaded by Asia’s dreaded squad TSR Continental Team of Iran. I believe this is the reason why the organizers, AIR 21 president Jerry Jara, trimmed down the number of Filipino riders with only two Philippine squads to represent us.

The lucky three Pangasinenses will be led anew by 2012 Le Tour champion Baler Ravina of Asingan and Mark Julius Bordeos of Laoac for the Road Bike Philippines/7-Eleven Team and three-time Tour winner Santy Barnachea from Umingan for the Philippine Navy/Standard Insurance squad. The two PHL teams will face stiff competition not only from the Iranian squad but also from Kazakhstan and Japan, Mongolia, Australia, Ireland, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates.

The bikefest with six riders in each squad reels off on April 21 at Clark Field, Pampanga for a 153-kilometer run to Olongapo City. Stage two will be from Olongapo to Cabanatuan City traversing the NLEX, SCTEX and TPLEX with a distance of 142 kilometers. The third will be from Cabanatuan to Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, a flat and mountain course negotiating the Sierra Madre mountains via the Dalton Pass. The Iranians and the Kazakhs will likely have the edge to win this stage, especially the fourth and final leg, the 132-kilometer mountainous trek from Bayombong to Baguio City, the toughest cycling route in the country today. The men (more experienced riders) will be separated from the boys (green horns).

Our three riders Ronald Oranza of Villasis, Joshua Carino of Mangaldan and Mark Julius Bonzo of Sual are in Europe, Indonesia and Malaysia during these days competing against the Europeans and some of Asia’s best, honing their skills in preparation for the coming Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea. Latest report that reached me is they are not doing well in the European races except for Ronda Pilipinas veteran Junrey Navarra. As the saying goes,. “It’s not how you won the game but it is how you played the game,” and I believe this. Joining bigger and high level races helps one a lot to gain international experience and measures how far one can go, enabling one to use these acquired skills and become a winner. That’s what happened to me. In short, “Experience is the best teacher in life.”

*          *          *          *

Kudos to the organizers of the 2014 Vuelta Dagupan for successfully staging the annual 3-day bikefest held on April 4-6. Led by my townmate Dr. Demosthenes Ydia and Dagupeño Engr. Louie Gutierrez. The amateur road race, run in six categories, started in Dagupan City on the first day, Agoo, La Union on the second day and in Ambuklao on the final day. The three stages all ended in Baguio City. My congratulations to all the champions: Jester Mendoza of Von Dutch (open event), Joey delos Reyes of Jinga Juice Multisport (25-35 category), Resty Aragon of Excellent Noodles (36-45 division), Ysmael Gendrano of Excellent Noodles (46-and-above class), Ariana Dormitorio (women’s group) and Carlito Magno of JAC Motors (Manager’s group) where my friend Alex Billan of Excellent Noodles, sponsor of the races in Pangasinan, finished a respectable fifth.

My belated congratulations to Virgilio Pacion and Allain Garcia, president and chief coordinator of Eastern Pangasinan Chess Center, respectively, for successfully staging the First BIR RD06 Open Chess Tournament last March 22 at CB Mall in Urdaneta City. The second event will be held on April 26. Keep on promoting well your chosen sport.

*          *          *          *

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, ‘Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” Jesus said “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” MARK 14: 60-62

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments