Morales at Prado, angat sa Nat’l tilt
NAKUMPLETO nina Jan Paul Morales at Jermyn Prado ang double-gold medal performance nang dominahin ang criterium races ng Philippine National Cycling Championships for Road kahapon sa McKinley West sa Taguig City.
Kampeon sa men at women elite road races (massed start) sa Subic, Olongapo City at Bataan sa nakalipas na linggo, pinatunayan nina Morales at Prado – miyembro ng Standard Insurance-Philippine Navy— ang katatagan para manatiling maningning ang katayuan sa National Team at pagbidahan ang torneo na sentro ng PRU Life UK’s PRUride PH 2018.
Nailista ni Morales, multi-titled internationalist at bronze medal winner sa Asian Championship, ang ratsada sa 1.10-km circuit sa loob ng isang oras.
Ginapi niya ng may 1.386 segundo ang kasangga sa national team at Go For Gold’s member George Oconer at Dominic Perez ng 7-Eleven Roadbike Philippines (1.528 segundo).
Naungusan naman ni Prado ang paboritong si Singapore 28th SEA Games individual time trial gold medalist Marella Salamat sa sprint finish. Pangatlo si Rombaon, kasanggan ni Salamat sa Corratec.
“It feels different to be crowned national champion, and I am proud to wear both jerseys,” pahayag ni Morales.
“I hope I could make the national team and try to bring honor for our country in international races,” sambit naman ni Prado.
Nangibabaw naman si Aidan Mendoza sa men under-23 class kontra kina Ronilla Quita at Tomas Mojares, habang kampeons a women’s class si Jeremy Gene Marana laban kay Irish Wong.
Pinangasiwaan nina Pru Life UK Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Allan Tumbaga at Prudential PLC Head of Sponsorship Diane Pender ang pagbibigya ng medalya at premyo sa mga nagwaging riders sa simpleng awarding ceremony.
Pinuri naman ni PhilCycling President at Tagaytay City Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino ang mga nagwagi at nakibahagi sa torneo na aniya’y bahagi ng paghahanda ng National Team sa 30th SEA Games sa Manila.
“This is a healthy sign that our elite riders—and up-and-coming cyclists—are geared up toward our goal of dominating the SEA Games next year,” pahayag Tolentino.