The country’s top female cyclists are gearing up for the Southeast Asian Games in a tournament that should hold some more importance for them.
The 10-member squad arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Monday to take part in the 13th Biwase Cup, a race that Vietnam hosts annually in celebration of the International Women’s Day.
“The goal is for our women’s team to get at least one foreign exposure ahead of the Southeast Asian Games,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who is also the chief of the country’s national cycling federation (PhilCycling).
Five members of the national women’s team—Mathilda Krog, Kate Yasmin Velasco, Avegail Rombaon, Marianne Dacumos and Mhay Ann Lina—will spearhead the Filipino delegation. They will be joined by two promising riders—Jelsie Sabado and Maura de los Reyes—who will take the place of two national athletes who could not join the squad because of school commitments.
Marita Lucas, Alfie Catalan and Joey de los Reyes make up the team’s coaching staff.
The race starts on International Women’s Day on Wednesday with a 66-kilometer (km) criterium around Binh Duong New City. The race, which will run for 1,101 kms, ends on March 17.
After this competition, the women will rejoin the rest of the national team in a training camp.