Sports Eye
Unexciting last three stages of 2020 Ronda
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
AFTER the Philippine Navy/Standard Insurance (PNSI) riders dominated the fourth and fifth stages that catapulted them to wrest the individual and team honors in this year’s Ronda Pilipinas bikefest, I immediately called my town mate, 2018 Le Tour de Filipinas titlist Joshua Cariño to congratulate his team and asked him what their plan in the remaining five stages since six of them were occupying the top six positions of the overall individual standing. Our province mate 2018 Ronda Pilipinas titleholder Ronald Oranza of Villasis was just one minute and 30 seconds behind his teammate and overall leader George Oconer. He said, “Ang usapan namin kasi, Uncle, na sinabi ng coach namin na kung sino man ang mauunang makakasuot ng ‘red jersey’ (symbolic of overall leadership) ay siya na lang ang susuportahan namin hanggang kaya niya, na kung sakaling may gustong umagaw pa sa kanya ang pangunguna.”
And it was done. I saw it through the FB live stream coverage how the eight-man PNSI squad helped Oconer to protect his lead over their foes. In fact, Oranza and even Ronald Lomotos who was just also one minute 33 seconds adrift Oconer never-ever attempted to orchestrate a breakaway and seize the front, first and foremost the crucial and the arduous Palayan City-Baguio City eight stage (via Marcos Highway) where the two supposed to have the biggest chance to dislodge Oconer. But for the love of the sport and the team, cohesion prevailed as the complete squad spearheaded by Oranza and Lomotos helped Oconer to retain his overall headship. Six of the PNSI riders (out of eight) who were in the top six positions after the seventh stage. They and four others stuck together up to the City of Pines won by Joshua’s younger brother Daniel Ven Cariño of Go for Gold team, his first after numerous tries.
It was the first time in Philippine cycling history that ten riders arrived together, remotely sprinting to the Baguio City finish since the birth of national multi-stage racing. The most I can remember that did that was three. I don’t know if arrival of the ten finishers after their successful breakaway from the peloton was fixed. Whatever, your guess is like mine.
It was a back-to-back finish for Pangasinan riders with Malasiqui son Kenneth Solis (who was borrowed by Tarlac Team) that won the ninth stage flat trek from Pugo, La Union to Vigan City. Back-to-back Ronda winner (2016-2017) Jan Paul Morales of Marikina City ruled the criterium 10th and last stage, his third this year.
Out of 18 Pangasinan participants, we had three first place stage finishers with Mark Julius Bordeos who won the initial Sorsogon City to Sorsogon City leg on February 23. Only Leonardo Valdez of Laoac, Pangasinan did not finish the ten-day bikefest. 68 out of 88 starters survived the grueling 1,400 kilometers cycling spectacle.
Joshua Cariño who finished six overall behind Oconer, Oranza, Lomotos, John Mark Camingao and Junrey Navarra, won the King of the Mountain plum while his brother Daniel Ven landed eight overall and topped the Under 23 Years Old Category.
It was a back-to-back first runner-up finish for Oranza. He was edged last year by Tour de France veteran campaigner the 42-year-old Francisco Mancebo of Spain. Unlike last year, the Ronda this season was not sanctioned by the world governing body Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) so obviously no foreigners dared to participate because of that.
* * * *
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Therefore, thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will surely bring calamity on them which they will not be able to escape; and though they cry out to Me, I will not listen to them.” JEREMIAH 11: 11
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
