LBC Ronda final elims up in Danao

MANILA, Philippines — The LBC Ronda Pilipinas holds the second and last qualifying race today with 170 of the participating 200 cyclists disputing the last 38 spots on a route starting  at the Danao City Hall and ending at the Plaza Rizal in Danao, Cebu.

The qualifiers will join the 20 seeded riders from last year’s edition and the 38 others who hurdled the first qualifier in Tarlac City last month in next year’s 11-stage race which offers  P1 million to the winner.

Already assured of spots in the tournament proper, Navy-Standard Insurance’s Jan Paul Morales, last year’s champion, and former Ronda kings Santy Barnachea and Irish Valenzuela are joining the final elims race as part of their buildup.

The 41-year-old Barnachea, a two-time winner, and Valenzuela, who topped the second edition in 2013, were among the first qualifiers in Tarlac.

LBC Ronda project director Moe Chulani said they also expect new faces to emerge.

“Our thrust is still the same, to give aspiring young riders a chance to pursue their cycling dreams,” said Chulani.