UCI: LBC-MVPSF bike team goes ‘continental’

THE COUNTRY’S top young riders are on the road to the international races.

LBC Express, Inc. president Fernando Araneta and MVP Sports Foundation head Manny V. Pangilinan, two major backers of the sport, have agreed to spearhead a project tol create a continental cycling team that will ride in international competitions sanctioned by the International Cycling Union (UCI).

The partnership comes at the heels of the UCI’s decision to grant LBC’s under-23 team, known as the LBC-MVPSF Cycling Pilipinas continental status—meaning it can represent the country in international meets.

“We are happy to announce that team LBC-MVPSF Pilipinas has secured its UCI continental status to represent the [country] in UCI-sanctioned events,” said Araneta.

Coached by American Chris Allison, the squad is spearheaded by Ronda Pilipinas 2013 third placer Ronald Oranza and composed of Rustom Lim, El Joshua Carino, Jemi- co Brioso, Elmer Navarrio, Denver Casayuran, Francis Ramos and John Renee Mier.

“The challenge is to prove that we belong with the best in Asia and win in this region before we move on to the world stage,” he added.

Also supporting the team are Total, the MVP Sports Foundation, Jinbei Auto, Smart, Icom iDAS, Standard Insurance, Maynilad, SunStar and NLEX, which went all-out in also supporting Ronda Pilipinas 2013.