Fit Galedo spearheads Ronda race local charge

MANILA, Philippines — Two-time Tour champion Mark Galedo is on the peak of an illustrious cycling career.

The climber from 7-Eleven Continental Cycling Team swears he’ll be at his best when the Ronda Pilipinas International 2014 hits the road on Saturday.

“I had some injuries last year. This year, I’m probably in the best shape of my life,” said the 2012 Ronda individual champion.

Though the field is tougher because of a strong foreign challenge, Galedo said local riders from seven teams have the edge as far as familiarity of the course is concerned.

“Some of them may be more experienced and well-equipped, but we own the routes here,” said the 28-year-old climber, who got a new house and lot from cycling patron Bong Sual after winning a gold medal in the recent Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar (Burma).

The 14-stage, 16-day bikathon will cover 1,776.1 kilometers. Stage 1 is a 66-km criterium in Quezon City before the Tour rides to Southern Luzon on the first week.

The riders will journey up north the following week in Tarlac, Pangasinan and Baguio City, the deciding stages of the multi-stage race offering P7.3 million in cash prizes.

Foreign teams in the mix for the richest local cycling race are Japan’s Matrix Powertage Continental Team, the Netherlands’ Dutch Global Cycling Team, Taiwan’s Gusto Continental Team, the Malaysian National squad, Thailand-based CCN Continental Cycling Team, South Korea’s Uijeongbu City Cycling Team and Infinite-Singha.