Oranza, Francisco, Monton pedal to glory

MANILA, Philippines —  National athletes Ronald Oranza and Jude Gabriel Francisco and Filipino-American Mary Joyce Monton dominated the Criterium races to kick start action in the PhilCycling National Championships for Road 2026 on Monday in Tagaytay City.

Oranza topped the Men Elite category, Francisco ruled the Men Under-23 and Monton, racing out of Los Angeles, was the best in Women Elite of the championships organized by the PhilCycling, headed by Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

Edson Corbadora and Ronnilan Quita completed the Men’s Elite podium of the event raced over a 2.2-km circuit that started and finished at Tagaytay City’s Praying Hands Momument, with Marvin Mandac and Mark Alex Baruelo finishing 1-2 in the Under-23 race.

National team mainstays Maritoni Krog and Phoebe Salazar wound up behind Monton in the race presented by Standard Insurance, MVP Sports Foundation and the Philippine Sports Commission and supported by Tagaytay City Mayor Brent Tolentino and the Tagaytay CT Velodrome.

Rayven Joy Valdez, Althea Campana and Angeline Elvira reigned supreme in Women’s Under-23.