Pro rider, student vie in Prudential RideLondon

MANILA, Philippines -  A race veteran and a lucky teener will represent the Philippines in the fifth Prudential RideLondon slated July 28-30 in England.

Ronnel Hualda, a 35-year-old campaigner in LBC Ronda Pilipinas and Le Tour de Filipinas races, and Ismael Grospe Jr., an 18-year-old from Nueva Ecija, have been chosen to compete in the three-day race considered as a world-class cycling festival.

Hualda was a last-minute replacement for George Oconer, who won the local race sponsored by Pru Life but begged off at the last minute to focus on his buildup for the SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur next month.

Grospe, on the other hand, won his slot via raffle.

Organizers said the event is expected to draw around 100,000 participants, including some of the world’s leading and upcoming riders and Britain’s cycling team.

The race combines the fun of a free family ride in central London with the excitement of watching the world’s best professional cyclists. The event is also held to raise money for charity.

This year will mark the second time the Philippines will be sending representatives to the Prudential RideLondon and the first time the country will field pro riders.

“It’s an honor to be chosen as one of the representatives in the prestigious race,” said Hualda during yesterday’s press conference at The Brewery at The Palace in BGC, Taguig City.

“I will do my best to represent the country well there,” he added.

The 2017 Prudential RideLondon has been awarded UCI World Tour status and will be the first men’s world tour race ever staged in the United Kingdom. The women’s pro race, the Prudential RideLondon Classique, will also serve as part of the UCI Women’s World Tour for the second successive year.

The Prudential RideLondon Classique also features two handcycle races for injured veteran servicemen and women while the Prudential RideLondon Elite Handcycle Grand Prix will be led by top international handcyclists.