Team Go For Gold-Philippines has formed a continental cycling squad as it prepares for tougher international races.
Going continental was a move in the right direction as the team tries to keep up with the best riders in the international arena while consistently reaching the podium in a number of local and overseas races throughout the year.
Jonel Carcueva, Ronnel Hualda, Jay Lampawog, Daniel Carino, Boots Ryan Cayubit and Rex Luis Krog will open 2019 with the Tour de Indonesia in January.
Also up to the task are Ismael Grospe Jr., Ronnilan Quita, Elmer Navarro, Jericho Jay Lucero and Joshua Bonifacio as the coming year is filled with the more punishing UCI (international cycling body) 2.1 category races.
The five-stage Tour de Indonesia presents the same level of challenge as the Tour de Langkawi in Malaysia.
Carcueva recently finished seventh overall in the individual general classification of the Tour de Singkarak, a UCI 2.2 race, also in Indonesia.
“I believe it’s the next logical step in order to improve our cyclists,” said Go For Gold’s Jeremy Go. “This will allow us access to bigger competitions.”
According to project director Ednalyn Hualda, going continental was necessary not only for the progress of the team, but also for the riders to gain more UCI points and earn a shot at qualifying in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.