MANILA, Philippines — Triathlete Matteo Guidicielli is leaning on family in Team Forza’s bid to reign supreme in the upcoming Ironman 70.3 Cebu.
And an extended family at that.
Led by his father Gianluca, Matteo and his sister Giorgia will lead a crop of contestants coming from all walks of life.
The Guidicellis will be reinforced by Ivan Carapiet, television host Castillejo, cancer survivor Joey Torres, businessmen Ian Solana and Jomer Lim, longtime triathletes Elmo Clarabal, Joseph Miller, and mentor Noel Salvador.
“The team is especially driven this time. We have new members, and everyone is just excited to race harder and tougher this year. I have great confidence in my team—we’re
strong. We are called ‘Forza’ after all.
“All the athletes are getting stronger and stronger. “We have a difference with our team. Our team is a mix of different people,” the son said.
@mateoguidicelli on why the Team Ford Forza is different. They will compete in the Ironman 70.3 Cebu this Aug. @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/RpcMrx56bH
— Denison Rey Dalupang (@sonrd) July 21, 2017
This year’s edition of the Ford-sponsored event brought to its fold businessmen Romeo Castro and Tyrone Tan, 2013 Pinoy Biggest Loser participants and brothers Ralph David Du and Yves Christian Du, sports enthusiasts Patricia Espino, Donikko Fernan, and Christian Saladaga, and cyclist Ica Maximo – all very active in multi-sport events.
“We just want to showcase that everybody can do it,” Guidicielli, who also moonlights as an actor, added.
Earlier in the year, the team competed in races such as the Xterra Danao in April and the
5150 Subic Bay Philippines in June. The squad also hosted Giro d’Luca, a cycling event, in Bohol.
Team Ford Forza will see action in the Cebu tiff on August 6. They’ve also put Mt. Mayon ASTC Triathlon Asian Cup in Bicol on August 17 and 5150 Triathlon in Bohol on November 5 in their to-do list.