Navarro thankful for making LBC team

ONE of Cebu’s rising cyclists Elmer Navarro is living his dream as he races for team PLDT/Spyder in the 2013 LBC Ronda Pilipinas.

The 21-year-old Navarro is one of two Cebuanos in the eight-man the LBC developmental team backed by MVP Sports Foundation. Compared to the other cyclists who had impressive track records before joining the developmental team, Navarro described his stint with the team as a blessing.

“I didn’t expect to be part of the developmental team. In 2011 when I was still racing with Team Cebu, ako ra gyud ato gi huna huna is to help the team have a decent finish, I was surprised I was chosen to be one of the members of the developmental team,” Navarro said.

Navarro started to love bikes at 12 and owned a road bike worth P12,000. According to him, it was a fancy one but he found biking enjoyable.

Professional

“I was just biking until I thought of racing when I was 14 and from there, I realized that I wanted to become a professional cyclist,” Navarro said.

Now with the developmental team, he feels blessed, especially with the international exposures. He said couldn’t imagine that he will reach this far in cycling.

“I am so thankful for this opportunity. Ako lang gyud ani is to perform well sa akong races because even though I’m a member of the developmental team, there is still no room to become complacent because they continually assess us. And that is good so we will also improve,” said Navarro, whose team is preparing for races outside the country.

The other Cebuano in the team is John Mier, who won the 2012 Best Young Rider in Ronda Pilipinas.

“I had cough and colds but now I am already very condition and hope makabawi ko in the two stages in Cebu. I don’t know if I can still defend that title as the best young rider for 2013 but I will just try my best,” 20-year-old Mier said.