By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

 

UNKNOWN to many, our province already has six professional cyclists competing in many international races sanctioned by the world governing cycling body called Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).

Our latest entry to the world of cycling was the Philippine Navy (PN), headed by 2018 Ronda Pilipinas king Ronald Oranza, as skipper of the team, He is joined by Lance Qurimit. the son of former 2003 Tour ng Pilipinas champion Arnel Quirimit of Barangay Palac-palac, Pozorrubio.

The other UCI accredited team, Victoria Sports Pro Cycling (VSPC), has three Pangasinenses in its lineup – 2018 Le Tour de Filipinas winner El Joshua Cariño and his younger brother Daniel Ven and Kenneth Maramba of Dagupan City. Maramba, a neophyte of the VSPC group, is the second Dagupan City cyclist to be in the limelight of national cycling after Teofilo Cuison of Barangay Tapuac who won the first runner-up plum in 1962 Tour of Luzon when teammate Edmundo de Guzman of Lingayen seized the throne from defending titlist Jose Moring, Jr. of Cebu City.

The VSPC team will be beefed up by two distinguished Spanish riders Hector Carretero and Dagupan City son-in-law Edgar Nieto, the Olympian Nicolas Sessler of Brazil, Dutchman Jeroen Meijers plus other locals, namely, Marcelo Felipe and Ismael Gorospe of Nueva Ecija, Alexis Pagara of Caloocan City and this year Philippines National Cycling Championship individual-time-trial gold medalist Nichol Pareja of Quezon City to name some.

Actually, there were three other UCI officially recognized continental teams from the Philippines aside from  VSPC and PN. These were PAGCOR, Go For Gold and the world famous convenient store 7-Eleven. Unfortunately, PAGCOR temporarily withdrew. Go For Gold had one Pangasinense on its list, the veteran Steve Hora from San Manuel town. 7-Eleven had no Pangasinan rider on its list. According to my reliable source, the four Philippines continental squads are ready to join the fray overseas against the world big guns and first in their agenda is the five-day 2024 Tour de Taiwan slated on March 10 to 14.  While they are expected to encounter tough battles, hopefully they can bring home some laurels for our country, even just podium stage finishes.

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I believe my voice was heard in my last two articles regarding my lamentation against some of our provincial and municipal leaders for their neglect in developing our potentials in cycling. Bani-born cycling veteran Edwin “Bitoy” Ochale happily texted me last week to inform me that a cycling road race which will start and finish in Barangay Ambabaay, Bani on March 16. It will be run in three categories, 44 and below open race, 45 to 59 years old and 60 and above years old. Ochale said the short but taxing bikefest with some mountains to climb will be from Barangay Ambabaay to Alaminos City (by-passing the city proper due to traffic), to Mabini via Sitio Sadsaran and Barangay Palamis, Bangan-Oda junction (Dasol), Agno (by-passed), then finishes in Barangay Ambabaay with an approximate distance of 50 kilometers. Of course, cash prizes, trophies and medals are at stake. I doff my hat to him. Results of this race will be printed here next week issue.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in the spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. COLOSSIANS 2: 5

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