Without any international exposure prior to the Southeast Asian Games, the national cycling team will get a dose of high-level competition from 7Eleven-Road Bike Philippines.
SEA Games gold medalist Marella Vania Salamat said the management of 7Eleven-RBP, the only Philippine-based continental cycling squad, has agreed to help them train for the Kuala Lumpur Games, where 20 gold medals are at stake.
7Eleven-RBP, owned by businessman Vic Paterno and cycling patron Bong Sual, has been racing consistently against the best riders all over Asia.
“They’re strong and they have the experience when it comes to races overseas,” said Salamat, who will compete in women’s massed start criterium in the Games slated Aug. 19 to 30. “I’m sure, 7Eleven can help us simulate the opponents that we will encounter in the SEA Games.”
Of the 20 golds at stake, 13 of them will be offered on the track, five on the road and two in BMX.