Santy Barnachea seeks 3rd crown in LBC Ronda

MANILA, Philippines — Aging Santy Barnachea guns for a historic third title as he spearheads newcomer Team Franzia in the Ronda Pilipinas 2018 presented by LBC March 3-18 on a route starting in Vigan City and ending at Filinvest, Alabang.

The 41-year-old Barnachea needed to qualify in the first of two Ronda qualifying races in Tarlac City last year to complete his return after a two-year absence and didn’t hide his plan of winning a third crown after topping the inaugural race in 2011 and repeating as champion in 2015.

“I want to show them that I’m not yet done and I will prove that, just like our sponsor Franzia wine, we get better in time,” said Barnachea.

Barnachea will be backstopped by Leonel Dimaano, Jonggo Tabayoyong, Beejay Nojara, Kim Kenneth Krog, Dennis Gabaldon, Alshyrnel Amiladjid and Mervin Corpuz at Team Franzia, which will make its debut in the eighth edition of the country’s biggest cycling race.

“I have a young and very energetic team and we are optimistic of our chances,” said Barnachea.