Oranza, Velasco rule cycling trials at Clark

MANILA, Philippines — Ronald Oranza and Kate Jasmin Velasco made Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance look so good on an ideal day of racing last Sunday in the PhilCycling National Trials for Road at the Clark Freeport Zone.

Oranza ruled the men’s road race and Velasco collected her second gold medal in the two-day trials presented by Standard Insurance, Smart, MVP Sports Foundation, Bases Conversion Development Authority and Clark Development Corp.

The pride of Villasis (Pangasinan), Oranza led a 1-2-3 finish by the Navymen in the 147.6-km road race that started and finished at the Clark Parade Grounds. He clocked three hours, 18 minutes and 25.80 seconds with George Oconer bagging silver with a time of 3:18:32.15 and Ronald Lomotos setting for the silver with a 3:18:35.23 clocking.

“We did our best to protect each other throughout the race,” Oranza, 28, said “And we managed to book a 1-2-3 finish.”

Velasco, winner of the individual time trial last Saturday, clocked 2:15:17.62 to rule the 80.70-km race with teammate Mathilda Krogg making the podium at 2:15:19.75.