Oranza, Lim off for Asian Cycling in New Delhi

MORE than a month after making a name in local cycling, Ronald Oranza, a revelation in the Ronda Pilipinas bikathon, rides on for national glory along with Rustom Lim in the Asian Cycling championships set in New Delhi starting this Thursday.

The two teammates in the PLDT-Spyder squad that placed third in the Ronda Tour left yesterday to represent LBC Cycling Pilipinas in the time trial and road-race events of the under-23 and elite divisions.

The 20-year-old Oranza of Villasis, Pangasinan, placed third overall in the 16-stage, 23-day Ronda Pilipinas last month behind individual champion Irish Valenzuela of LPGMA-American Vinyl and Ronald Gorrantes of Roadbike Philippines.

A 19-year-old rider from Guimba, Nueva Ecija, Lim was tapped for his sprinting prowess. The routes in the ACC are relatively flat.

“They are two of the best young riders in the country and we’re confident they will do good in India,” said American Chris Allison, the road tactician of LBC Cycling Pilipinas. June Navarro