‘Higit sa lahat, teamwork sa Bicycology Shop-Army’ -- Buhain
MALAKING karangalan sa bawat riders ang maging ganap na kampeon, subalit sa tagumpay man o kabiguan, handa ang Bicycology Shop-Philippine Army na harapin ang hamon bilang isang solid na koponan tulad ng kaganapan sa katatapos na LBC Ronda Pilipinas.
“We don’t race for ourselves, we race as a team. While we toast individual feats and are proud of lap honors won, it is the collective effort that truly defined the maturity and worth of the Bicycology Shop Philippine Army,” pahayag ni team manager Eric Buhain, isang bemedalled swimmer sa kanyang henerasyon at tanging atleta na nagsilbing Chairman ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) at Games And Amusement Board (GAB).
Nakopo ng Bicycology Shop Philippine Army ang ikatlong puwesto sa team classification, dalawang taon matapos sopresahin ang mga karibal sa impresbong second runner-up finish sa kanilang debut noong 2018.
“Third place, that’s not bad at all. This year’s field is tougher than before, I’ve seen some really well-prepared teams and truly talented riders. For Bicycology Shop-Philippine Army to still hold its ground against such tall order is already proof that we’re still on it, and soon get that big victory,” aniya.
Pumuwesto si Pfc. Marvin Tapic sa Top 10 sa individual classification, kasunod ang kasangga na si Jester Mendoza sa No.11. Tumapos si Mark Bordeos, Stage 1 winner, sa No.14 kasunod sina Pfc. Cris Joven sa No.15 at Dominic Perez sa No.16.
Sa 10-stage, 11 days cycling marathon, maagang humirit ang Bicycology Shop-Philippine Army nang makopo ng 27-anyos na si Bordeos ang Stage 1 sa Sorsogon tungo sa kanyang pangunguna suot ang ‘red jersey’ sa dalawang pagkakataon.
“Even then, when we took the lap 1 honors, our riders remained focus to ride as a team. We kept our eyes on the road of the team championship, brotherhood at its finest,” sambit ni Buhain.
Pinasalamatan din ni Buhain ang suportang ibinigay ng mga miyemb at opisyal ng Philippine Army na kinabibilangan nina LTC Dexter A. Macasaet, QMS ( GSC) PA - Director SSC, IMCOM (P), MGen. Tyne T. Bañas, AFP - Cmdr, IMCOM (P), PA at Lt. Gen Gilbert I. Gapay AFP - CG, PA.
“’Yung suporta nila at tulong sa ating mga riders ay tunay namang nagbigay lakas sa kanila para magpursige sa laban,” aniya.
Balik sa pagsasanay ang Bicycology Shop-Philippine Army upang makapaghanda ng husto bago simulan ang kampanya para sa susunod na edisyon ng cycling marathon.
“We will be better prepared than before, well trained and more motivated. And our motto remains -- we ride, or die trying, as one,” pahayag ni Buhain.