Galedo upbeat on chances vs foreign bets in Ronda bikefest

MANILA, Philippines – Reigning Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Mark Galedo of 7-Eleven Continental Cycling Team likes his chances in the Ronda Pilipinas International 2014 despite the strong international challenge.

In fact, the Ronda second edition champion is entertaining hopes of winning his second title in the biggest, richest and most prestigious race in the country today.

"Even though we are racing against foreign riders, I think we have a chancing of doing better," said Galedo, who was feted by the Philippine Sportswriters Association during its Awards Night Saturday, in Filipino.

"I know it’s going to be tough but there is nothing wrong in dreaming big so I will give everything I have to make our country and countrymen proud," said Galedo.

Galedo said the familiarity of the course in this 14-stage, 16-day race staking a whopping pot worth Php7.3 million will play a big factor and favor not just him but the rest of the Filipino riders.

"Some of them may be more experienced and well-equipped but we own the routes here and we're more familiar with it," he said.

Galedo also said he's in the best shape of his life after failing to defend his crown in last year's staging of this event presented by LBC, the largest courier and cargo company, along with sponsors MVP Sports Foundation, NLEX, Maynilad, PLDT and Mitsubishi, Versa 2 Way Radio and Standard Insurance and minor sponsor Air Asia Zest and sanctioned by PhilCyling, due to injuries.

"I was not in the best condition last year because of I had some injuries. This year I've trained and prepared well and I'm in probably my best condition," said Galedo, whose gold medal effort in the biennial meet last month in Myanmar was a testament to his preparedness.

Galedo will also be backstopped by equally competent teammates in Baler Ravina, Cris Joven, Edmundo Nicolas, Jr., Ryan Boots Cayubit and Mark Julius Bordeos for a squad that tapped former sprinter Ericson Obosa as its new coach.

Also expected to carry the fight for the Filipino cyclists are first edition winner Santy Barnachea of Navy-Standard Insurance, last year's titlist Irish Valenzuela of Army and the PLDT Maynilad squad composed of Under-23 riders Ronald Oranza, Mark Bonzo, Rustom Lim, Joshua Carino, Junrey Navarra and Ronald Lomotos.

The other local teams seeing action are Team Cycleline Butuan Mindanao headed by March McQuinn Aleonar and Nino Surban, Roadbike skippered by Ronnel Hualda and reinforced by Spanish Edgar Nieto and Briton Carlos Gasmen and Cebu-Kalit Air Force spearheaded by the seasoned troika of Warren Davadilla, Tomas Martinez, Jr. and Oscar Rindole.

Japan's Matrix Powertage Continental Team, the Netherlands' Dutch Global Cycling Team, Taiwan's Gusto Continental Team, the Malaysian National squad, Thailand-based CCN Continental Cycling Team, South Korea's Uijeongbu City Cycling Team and Infinite-Singha are the international teams joining.