Go for Gold riders eye memorable finish

MANILA, Philippines — Go for Gold will try to rely on its youthful exuberance as it faces the country’s top cyclists in the 11th edition of the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2022 that hits the road March 11 in Sorsogon and finishes March 20 in Baguio.

Daniel Carino, Ismael Grospe and Jonel Carcueva are going all out to improve on their top 10 finish in the 10th anniversary race of this annual event two years ago and spearhead a Go for Gold squad featuring under-23 riders.

It will be more significant for Carino, Grospe and Jericho Jay Lucero who ride their final year with the team. The other members of the Jeremy Go-managed team are Ronnilan Quita, Boots Ryan Cayubit and Dominic Perez.

“We want a memorable finish,” said Go for Gold coach Ednalyn Hualda.

Standing in their way is heavy favorite Navy Standard Insurance, which parades a loaded squad headed by defending champion George Oconer and 2018 winner Ronald Oranza.

Another team to contend with is Excellent Noodles, which will be bannered by many-time Ronda titlists Santy Barnachea and Jan Paul Morales.

Together, Barnachea and Morales have won five Ronda crowns in all and should be serious title contenders.

Philippine Army, Team Nueva Ecija, Dreyna, Eagle Cement, Champ Café, Bike Kings Laguna, Vantage Ilocos Norte, VPharma, Team Quezon Province and Team Ilocos Sur are also joining the race that stakes a total cash pot of P3.5 million, with P1 million going to the overall individual champion, P400,000 to the runner-up and P200,000 to the second runner-up.

The team champion gets P200,000 in this race presented by LBC Express, Inc. and supported by MVP Sports Foundation, Quad X, Twin Cycle Gear, Standard Insurance, Print2Go, Elves Bicycles, Elitewheels, Orome, Maynilad, Garmin, Petron, Boy Kanin, Green Planet Bikeshop, Prolite, Black Mamba, Lightwater, LBC Foundation, PhilCycling and the Games and Amusements Board.