LPGMA-RP riders off to two international tours

MANILA, Philippines - A six-man cycling team backed by the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers Association and Liquigaz will leave today to represent the national squad in two international races in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Tour veteran Lloyd Reynante will spearhead the pack, which includes Cris Joven, Lloyd Berjamie, Ronnel Hualda, Glenmar Robosa and Jeff Monton, in the Perlis Open on July 28-30 to be held in Alor Setar, Malaysia near the border with Thailand. 

Coach Renato Dolosa said the LPGMA-RP team riders, whose participation was also bankrolled by American Vinyl, would proceed to the Tour de East Java in Indonesia a week later in another three-day competition slated Aug. 8-10. LPGMA president Arnel Ty said the participation of his team in the two international races has the blessings of the PhilCycling, headed by its president Tagaytay Mayor Bambol Tolentino, the group recognized by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). 

``We want to help our riders sustain their competitive fire by sending them to a couple of high-caliber races in Southeast Asia,’’ said Ty, who helped put together the seven-day Liquigaz-LPGMA Tour of Luzon in April. 

The Perlis Open, a three-stage, 590-kilometer massed start competition, is a 2.2-level race as classified by the UCI along with Tour de East Java. The cyclists face the best riders Asia could offer in the Perlis while the East Java has opened the competition to Europeans. 

Dolosa, now a manager of the Tour of Luzon Bike shop and Cafe after a productive career, said the riders have been working hard daily to maintain their stamina even after the Liquigaz-LPGMA Tour of Luzon and Padyak Pinoy last summer.

“I’ve set a target of finishing in the top 3 on both races but I don’t expect them to shine right away since all of them are first-timers except for Lloyd (Reynante),” said Dolosa. 

“Just the same, these riders are ready to give their best shot for flag and country,” added Dolosa. 

Ty revealed that the two international races are part of LPGMA and Liquigaz’s breakthrough plan to produce the first Filipino rider who could don the national colors in the prestigious Tour de France.