INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines - National cycling president Mikee Romero has urged stakeholders of the sport to set aside their differences and allow their riders to join the tryouts for the coming Laos Southeast Asian Games.

Romero, who assumed the Philcycling presidency late last month, is hoping that the country’s best riders, including the bemedalled Victor Espiritu, will join the tryouts that will be held for three consecutive Sundays starting on July 12 in Rizal.

Also invited to join the tryouts are riders belonging to the group of Tagaytay Mayor Bambol Tolentino.

“Everybody is welcome,” Romero said in a statement.

“Let us show our love to our country by taking part in this tryouts. Time is not on our side now, don’t allow politics to ruin our lofty status in the region.”

Romero, who has committed P5 million for the country’s campaign in the SEA Games, vowed impartiality in the selection of the members of the team, pointing out that the federation will not come out with a seeding prior to the tryouts.

“Our objective here is to select the best available riders for the SEA Games and keep our winning tradition in the regional tournament,” said Romero, owner of the Harbour Centre franchise that won seven straight championships in the Philippine Basketball League.

Four events will be contested in the SEA Games—the 40-km individual time trial, criterium race and mountain bike events cross country and downhill.

The 170-km road race is slated on July 12, while the two individual time trials to be held in Bosoboso in Antipolo and the Quezon Memorial Circle is scheduled July 19.

The mountain bike event is set in Timberland, San Mateo, Rizal where six to eight riders for the men’s division will join the cross country event and four to six riders in the women’s side.

Riders who make the RP Team will get a monthly allowance of P12,000 to P15,000 from the association for their build-up for the SEA Games.

Apart from the allowances, Romero has also dangled an incentive package that includes P200,000 for the gold medalist and P100,000 and P50,000 for the silver and bronze winners, respectively.

Interested riders may register at PhilCycling office, Room 207, Torres Building, 321 Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City.