Go for Gold cyclists shine in Vietnam race

From L-R: Jericho Jay Lucero, Ean Cajucom, Marc Ryan Lago, coach Ednalyn Hualda, Daniel Ven Carino and Ismael Grospe. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Go For Gold Developmental Cycling Team showed its potential against veteran riders in the Dien Bien Phu 2019 international race in Vietnam recently.

Ismael Grospe Jr. was named King of the Mountain of the four-day bikathon while fellow Go For Gold riders Daniel Ven Carino and Ean Cajucom nearly hit the target in the sprint classification.

Jericho Jay Lucero then placed second in the torturous final stage behind Vietnamese climber Huynh Thanh Tung.

“Despite being young athletes, they raced well against older and more experienced cyclists,’’ said Go For Gold godfather Jeremy Go.

The 20-year-old Grospe, who is 2o19 Ronda Pilipinas’ best young rider, got the same recognition in Vietnam.

“We did well in this race, but it doesn’t mean we’re okay already. There are a lot of things to improve on and we have to do it gradually. We can’t rush,’’ said Go For Gold project director Ednalyn Hualda.

Marc Ryan Lago, who also rides for the national team, checked in third overall in the best young rider race followed by Lucero at fourth and Cajucom at seventh. The Go for Gold team finished fifth overall out of 12 teams.

Aside from cycling, Go For Gold also supports several athletes in various sports including skateboarder Margielyn Didal, the Philippine dragonboat team from the Philippine Canoe-Kayak Dragonboat Federation and men’s triathlon star Nikko Huelgas.