By Jean Malanum/PNA
MANILA — The 7-Eleven-Cliqq-Air21 Roadbike Philippines is looking forward to a successful campaign in international tournaments, including the forthcoming Southeast Asian Games (SEAG).
The squad celebrated its 10th year anniversary with the presentation of its elite men and women and junior members at the Aura Ballroom of the Golden Phoenix Hotel in Pasay City on Sunday night.
The 7-Eleven-Cliqq-Air21 Roadbike Philippines is a Union Cyclists Internationale (UCI) Continental team. The UCI is the world-governing body for cycling and supervises international cycling competitions.
The men’s elite team is composed Marcelo Felipe, Rustom Lim, George Oconer, Dominic Perez, Irish Valenzuela, Arjay Peralta, Bonijoe Martin, Mervin Corpuz, Nilo Valdez, Warren Bordeos, Japanese Daisuke Kaneko and Mark John Lexer Galedo.
Galedo, who captured the gold medal in the Individual Time Trial (ITT) event during the 2013 SEAG in Myanmar, is the only member of the original 7-Eleven Roadbike Philippines team formed in 2009.
“I am very happy because I’m still here in the team. I would like to thank all my supporters. Before I retire, I hope that one of us will be able to compete in the Olympics,” said the 33-year-old Galedo, who won the 2009 Tour of Luzon.
Galedo also topped the 2014 Le Tour de Filipinas, which is a UCI 2.2 category event.
Jose Victor Paterno, president and chief executive officer of Philippine Seven Corporation, the local licensee of 7-Eleven, is also hopeful that a Filipino cyclist will get the chance to see action in the Olympics.
Rick Rodriguez, who serves as team manager of 7-Eleven-Cliqq-Air21 Roadbike Philippines, said that the members of the expanded team are all talented.
“I’m proud to say that these riders have the talent and they are all determined to win,” said Rodriguez, who has been Roadbike Philippines sports director for the past 15 years.
Marella Salamat, the 2015 SEAG gold winner in the Individual Time Trial (ITT) event, will spearhead the newly-formed women’s team that also include Rica Molina, Marianne Grace Dacumos, Jamaeca Cruz Arana, Kim Nicole Obel, Irish Mae Wong and Jeremy Genesis Marana.
“We’re expecting better results in the SEA Games,” said Rodriguez, who noted that the Filipino riders will be facing a strong challenge from the Malaysians and Indonesians.
American Robbie Herber, who will coach the national team, said he is considering some tournaments abroad for both the men and women teams as part of their SEAG preparation.
Meanwhile, Roadbike Philippines president Pablito Sual said the developmental team (Under 23) is aimed at bring out the potential of budding elite cyclists.
Tomas Martin Mojares, who won the Giro de Sardena race in Italy last year and Jake Aldrin Rivera, a gold medalist in the Asian Junior Mountainbike Series in Malaysia, will banner the junior team.
Other members are Aidan James Mendoza, Jingo Tabayoyong, Jhonrey Buccat, Michael Farre, Mar Francis Sudario, Nichol Blanca Pareja, Rench Michael Bondoc and Ron Francois Tuason.
Donna May Lina, the daughter of Alberto Lina who is chairman of the Lina Group of Companies, Airfreight 2100 Inc. and Philcycling, also attended the team presentation.
