LBC Ronda Pilipinas kicks off 10th anniversary race

Ronda turns 10

Ronald Oranza and Jan Paul Morales have been tipped as the riders to watch when the tenth anniversary race of LBC Ronda Pilipinas kicks off today at the Baywalk in Sorsogon.

With Spanish cyclist Francisco Mancebo not around to defend his title, the duo leading the way for Navy-Standard Insurance are shooting to add this year's championship to their current accolades, as Oranza seeks to win his second title in three years with Morales is looking for his third title in the last five.

Oranza shares, "The goal is to stay positive and not to think that much about last year’s experience."

Morales adds, "I fell good about our preparation and with more hard work, I think I have a strong chance this year."

He also does not mind if he needs to back up Oranza or his fellow cyclists under the Navy-Standard Insurance banner, which is composed of former Le Tour champion El Joshua Carino, multiple King of the Mountain titlist Junrey Navarra, George Oconer, Ronald Lomotos, and John Mark Camingao. The 34-year old says, "If it's me, it’s me but I would not think twice of supporting a teammate if he’s ahead of me."

Both believe that this year's edition of the Ronda Pilipinas is one of the toughest in its decade-long history, with fellow former champions Santy Barnachea (Scratch It), Reimon Lapaza (Celeste), and Mark Galedo (7Eleven Cliqq-Air21 by Roadbike Philippines) leading the rest of the field.

Morales says, "This is going to be the toughest field we’re participating in recent years and we’re bracing for a strong challenge from our rivals."

Other teams set to participate are Go For Gold, Army-Bicycology, Bike Xtreme, Tarlac/Central Luzon, Nueva Ecija, Ilocos Sur, and South Luzon-Batangas.

Stage One is a 129.5-km lap that will go in and out of Sorsogon.

The tenth edition of Ronda Pilipinas is presented by LBC and is backed by the Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation. Also supporting the race are Versa, 8A Performance, Print2Go, Petron, Green Planet, Bike Xtreme, Standard Insurance, Spyder, CCN, Lightwater, Prolite, Guerciotti, Black Mamba, Boy Kanin, Vitamin Boost, NLEX-SCTEX, Maynilad, 3Q Sports Event Management Inc., LBC Foundation and PhilCycling. PhP 1 million awaits the individual winner.