Gallant Galedo

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

LEARNING a big lesson from a disastrous finish during the 2014 Ronda Pilipinas International two months ago, the two-time Tour champion Mark Galedo poured all he got in the fourth and final day of the just concluded 2014 Le Tour de Filipinas to place second in the stage, to wrest the yellow jersey and the coveted crown of the UCI sanctioned multi-stage bikefest. He’s now the third Filipino rider to win an international multi-stage sanctioned race after Warren Davadilla of Valenzuela City in the 1998 Marlboro Tour and Jonipher “Baler” Ravina of Asingan in the 2012 Le Tour de Filipinas.

Galedo’s Le Tour victory this year was his third after conquering the revived 2009 Tour of Luzon and the 2012 Ronda Pilipinas. It was supposed to be his fourth title if not for that disastrous miscalculation during the 14-day Ronda race last February. Leading by more than two minutes in the last two stages, the Mandaluyong City-based Galedo blundered in the 13th stage and never recovered in the 14th and final day and eventually finished third overall. The race was won by Reimon Lapaza of Butuan City. Lapaza became the first ever Mindanaoan cyclist to win a multi-stage bikathon.

“Firstly I have to thank God for giving me this victory,” said Galedo. “This triumph is for the country, and somehow I felt relieved now that I won the race. The feeling of frustration and disappointment are now gone,” Galedo added, referring to his debacle during this year’s Ronda.

Without a shred of doubt I have to doff my hat to him for his courage, his fighting spirit and most of all, his will power. Despite being the lone Filipino rider landing in the top ten (third overall) after the third stage, Galedo with much gusto bravely bolted free in the fourth and final day of the race at the mountains of Sierra Madre and Cordillera 60 kilometers to the finish, unchallenged by other title contenders, including the dreaded Australian rider Eric Timothy Sheppard who finished second overall 1:03 minutes adrift. Indonesian rider and 2013 SEA Games gold medalist Ariya Phounsavath took the day’s honor with Galedo just 1:14 minutes behind.

“Palaban sya talaga,” said Judith Caringal of DZSR Sports Radio who covered the race. “Walang takot at kaba sa mga foreigners and we should be proud of him,” she added. Yes, Galedo, 28, is a one-of-a-kind Filipino cyclist. I surmise that he could win more championships in the years to come. I think he has the chance to become the greatest cyclist that this country has ever produced because he’s still young, a warrior, and gallant in this two-wheeled event. He saved and lifted the image of our country against the foreigners. And if you ask me, his 7-Eleven team should send him to U.S. or to Europe to gain more experience and enhance more his willpower. And who knows, he could be our gold medalist in the coming Incheon, Korea Asian Games. Let’s wait and see.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the three of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. REVELATION 22: 13-14

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