TWO-TIME Tour champion Mark Galedo of 7-Eleven/Roadbike Philippines nipped climb specialist Junrey Navarra of LBC-MVP Sports Foundation to rule yesterday’s road race qualifier for the Burma (Myanmar) Southeast Asian Games.
Galedo, the 2012 Ronda Pilipinas champion, outsprinted Navarra in a frenetic dash to the finish at the end of the 144-kilometer race that began and ended at Canyon Woods in high-altitude Tagaytay City.
Both riders clocked three hours, 31 minutes and 33.38 seconds with Ronald Oranza of LBC-MVPSF placing a close third in 3:31:34.65 despite figuring in a crash on the final climb.
“I think I deserve to ride for the national team and I proved it today,” said Galedo in Filipino after making the cut in the Philippine team bound for the SEA Games on Dec.11 to 22.
The PhilCycling’s two-day qualifier for the Burma Games was held despite a previous qualifying run during the Philippine National Games topped by Oranza and LBC-MVPSF teammate Rustom Lim.
PhilCycling president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino later announced that the final nine cyclists who will compete in the SEA Games will be quartered and trained by national coaches.
Boots Ryan Cayubit of 7-Eleven/RoadBike Philippines placed fourth (3:31:40.56) followed by Lim (3:31:58.81), Navy’s John Paul Morales (3:32.13.99), Cycleline’s Raymond Lapaza (3:33.21.69), Standard’s Joel Calderon (3:36.44.41), 7Eleven’s Baler Ravina (3:36.48.29) and Philippine track team rider Arnold Morales (3:37.01.00). June Navarro