Le Tour dedicated to 44 fallen heroes

BALANGA, Bataan, Philippines – Defending individual general classification champion Mark Galedo and his compatriots launch a determined bid to fight for local pride against a host of foreign rivals as the 2015 Le Tour de Filipinas – dubbed “Tour for the Heroes” in honor of the 44 Special Action Force troopers killed in the line of duty – pedals off today.

Galedo banners the 7-Eleven Roadbike team, one of only two Filipino crews in the 15-team field out to stop the foreign invasion led by fancied Iranians Ghader Mizbani of Tabriz Petrochemical Team and Rahim Emami of Pishgaman Yzad Pro Cycling Team, the winners in 2013 and 2011, respectively.

Galedo was supposed to spearhead the Phl national team but had to go back to his mother team, 7-Eleven at the last minute due to a UCI provision. Per world governing body, a cyclist belonging to a continental team, in Galedo’s case 7-Eleven, cannot race for another squad.

He joins Baler Ravina, the 2012 ruler,  at  7-Eleven Road Bike Philippines in the four-stage tour that kicks off with an out-and-back race in Balanga covering 126 kilometers.

“Mahirap kasi malalakas ang mga kalaban, lalo na yung Iranians (It’s gonna be tough given the level of competition and the presence of the strong Iranians),” said Galedo.

Felipe Marcelo and Spaniard reinforcements Edgar Nieto and Angel de Julian Vasquez will join forces with Galedo and Ravina in defending 7-Eleven’s  team general classification crown in the four-stage race presented by Air21 and co-presented by the MVP Sports Foundation and Smart.

“Tiwala naman ako na hindi ako pababayaan ng teammates ko. Pinaghandaan naming mabuti ito. Huwag lang magpabaya, kahit sino sa amin, may tsansa (I trust my teammates. We trained hard for this. As long as we follow the strategy, we have a chance),” Galedo said.

“Gagawin namin lahat para hindi tayo mapahiya sa sariling bansa natin (We’ll do everything to keep the crown on Filipino hands and make our countrymen proud),” said Ravina.

With Galedo gone, Ronald Lomotos, Geoge Oconer, Ronald Oranza,  Jun Rey Navarra, and Jerry Aquino Jr. make up the national team.

Standing in their way, aside from the two Iranian teams, are Team Novo Nordisk (USA), RTS Santic Racing Team (Taiwan), Attaque Team Gusto (Taiwan), Singha Infinite Cycling Team (Thailand), Navitas Satalyst Racing Team (Australia), CCN Cycling Team (Brunei), Pegasus Continental Cycling Team (Brunei), Terangganu Cycling Team (Malaysia), Bridgestone Anchor Cycling Team (Japan) and the national teams of Uzbekistan and Kazakshtan.

Organizers said they’re dedicating to the “Fallen 44” and heroes the race this year, which aptly starts in the province where the Filipino soldiers made their last stand in World War II.

 “To start the 2015 Le Tour in Bataan at a time the nation is in mourning for the 44 slain SAF forces in Mamasapano (Maguindanao) inspires us to dedicate the race to our fallen heroes,” said Donna Lina Flavier, president of race organizer Ube Media Inc.