Iloilo City—The presence of Russian rider Artem Ovechkin is keeping members of many-time champion Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance on their toes.
Ovechkin, who has made history for Malaysian cycling after the Russian delivered the overall title for the Terengganu continental team in the 2018 Tour de Langkawi, will be around to raise the competitiveness of the field.
“Last year, kami ang nanalo. Ayaw naming sumabak na hindi preparado,” said Navymen coach Reinhard Gorrantes on the expected strong challenge coming from riders.
The presence of many foreign participants will put the Navymen’s bid to defend their crown difficult in this year’ LBC Ronda Pilipinas when it begins on Thursday.
“Sa international race, iba ang laban. Maraming malakas,” added Gorrantes, as the Navymen get ready for the races that are set to be held from Feb. 8 to 12 in Iloilo, Guimaras, Roxas City and Antique.
That is why Gorrantes and the Navymen will be watching out for Team Terranganu, along with the Koreans from Matrix Powertag-Japan and the Korail Team of Korea.
Reigning Ronda titlist Ronald Oranza will be back with two-time champion John Paul Morales, and last year’s third-placer Junrey Navarra, to lead Navy’s bid.
Together with Joshua Carino, Ronald Lomotos and Rudy Roque, the Navymen will try keep the title.
“Gagawin namin ang makakaya namin. Sana, madepensahan namin ang titulo,” said Gorrantes after the team returned from practice.
Like many riders, the world no.119 ranked Ovechkin is expected to come up strong in this event, which is sanctioned by the world governing Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
Stage 1 of this bikefest, who has drawn participation from 15 teams-including seven local squads, will open hostilities with a 197.6-kilometer Iloilo to Iloilo route on Thursday, and will proceed with the 101.8km ride around the island of Guimaras the next day.
The 80-km mark of Stage 1 will offer difficulties since it is an uphill, bumpy and rolling terrain, with the scorching morning heat and strong winds giving riders a push when they head west along the coastal road of San Joaquin, Lawig and Anini.
Gorrantes noted that many riders are expected to slow down when they go against the wind on their way back to Iloilo City.
“Maaga kaming nagpunta dito para makita ang terrain. Nadaanan na namin ito nu’ng 2017. Kaya lang isa pang kalaban ang weather. Mainit, pero malakas ang hangin,” said Gorrantes.
Other local teams seeing action are Army Bicycology, Go for Gold, 7-Eleven Cliqq-Air21 Roadbike Phls, Team Franzia, Team Tarlac and Bike Xtreme.
The other international teams are Nex Cycling, PGN Road Cycling Team, Sri Lanka Navy Cycle Team, Customs Cycling Indonesia, Terengganu Cycling Team and Cambodia Cycling Team.
