By Jerome Lagunzad
SAN VICENTE, ILOCOS SUR – This year’s entire race contingent made it safely here on Thursday afternoon at the neighboring town of Vigan City, the initial battleground of the 2018 Ronda Pilipinas presented by LBC which hits the main roads of Luzon starting this weekend.
Top race officials, led by executive project director Moe Chulani, race director Jingo Hervas and chief commissaire Irish Micky Rob, joined all protagonists from 12 competing teams and their support crew in a dizzying nine-hour drive from the People Power Monument in Quezon City that started at dawn.
After all participants have settled down in their respective hotels, most of them, including fancied Navy-Standard Insurance team led by reigning back-to-back titlist Jan Paul Morales, took some precious time to recharge ahead of what’s expected to be a down-the-wire battle in the eighth edition of the country’s biggest race.
“This is going to be one of the most exciting races that we will see since most of the former champions are back in the hunt this year,” said Chulani, referring to the likes of two-time champion Santy Barnachea of Team Franzia and 2012 titleholder Irish Valenzuela of CCN Superteam.
Former Marlboro Tour champion Warren Davadilla of Team CCN, George Oconer of Go for Gold and Army-Bicycology’s Cris Joven, who finished third overall last year, are also expected to make life tough for Morales and his touted Navyman teammates.
Team Bike Extreme, under the tutelage of grizzled rider Lloyd Lucien Reynante, is also eager to make heads turn behind the presence of Pagnanawon family, led by brothers Jaybop and Jhunvie and cousin Jhetly.
Go for Gold is also fielding a developmental team composed of promising riders Ismael Grospe, Jr. Ronilan Quita, Roel Quitoy, Jay Lampawog and Bryant Sepnio but will be led by veteran campaigner Ronnel Hualda.
Also out to make some noise in the event supported by MVP Sports Foundation, CCN, Petron, Versa.ph, 3Q Sports Event Management, Inc., Boy Kanin, Franzia, Standard Insurance, Bike Xtreme, SH+, Guerciotti, Prolite, Green Planet, Maynilad, NLEX Cycling, Lightwater, LBC Foundation and PhilCycling are Team Iloilo, Team Nueva Ecija, Team South Luzon, Team Tarlac and Team Ilocos Sur.
With a whopping P1million cash is at stake for the eventual individual champion, action should be intense right away in the 40-kilometer Vigan criterium opening stage on Saturdayfollowed by the 55.4km Vigan-Pagudpud Stage Two on Sunday.