Manila: The Philippines will return to the Tour of Langkawi, an eight-stage Hors category event on the Langkawi Island in Malaysia, after more than two decades.
Seeing action are road cyclists Ronald Oranza, Marcelo Felipe, Jan Paul Morales, Junrey Navarra, Joshua Pascual, and Jude Gabriel Francisco. They will be accompanied by coaches Ronald Gorantes, Virgilio Espiritu and Mark John Lexer Galedo, team manager Ric Rodriguez, and Roderick Calla (mechanic).
Philippine Olympic Committee and PhilCycling head Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino stressed the importance of the Tour de Langkawi as one of the most prestigious and difficult multi-stage International Cycling Union (UCI) races in Asia.
The team is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and UCI continental teams Standard Insurance, 7-Eleven Road Bike Philippines, and Victoria Sports Pro Cycling Team to which all six riders are members.
The Philippines debuted at the 3rd Tour de Langkawi in 1998 with a team composed of Victor Espiritu, Arnel Quirimit, Ca
rlo Jazul, Enrique Domingo, Warren Davadilla and Gerardo Amar. The squad was the best among five Asian teams and 10th overall in the 21-team competition.
The country’s last participation was in 2003 with a national team comprising Victor Espiritu, Quirimit, Lloyd Reynante, Merculio Ramos, and Domingo.
The PAGCOR Casino Trade Team joined the race from 2004 to 2006 while the 7-Eleven Roadbike Philippines continental team also competed in the ‘by invitation only’ tournament.
The national teams of Malaysia and Thailand are also joining this year, along with three UCI Word Teams, seven Pro Team, and nine Continental Teams.
Source: Philippines News agency