PHILIPPINE national cycling team members are planning to base again in Danao City as they prepare for the 2015 Southeast Asian Games (SEAg) next year in Singapore.
Former elite rider and current women’s head coach Eboy Quiñones said that they are planning to return to Danao City.
“The team needs a continuous tune-up, because last SEAg, we did not get any medals. We have great riders, but they lack exposure and tune-up.
With the support in Danao City, led by Danao City Administrator Oscar “Boying” Rodriguez, I think we can build a core that will be competitive again,” Quiñones told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday via phone interview.
Rodriguez said the “PH cycling team was based in Danao for five years, and during that span, the cycling team won medals last 2003, 2005 and 2007 SEAg.”
“They are very welcome and they can stay here (in Danao City) so we can help them. I am also a member of the board of Philcycling, so I can write a letter about that,” Rodriguez said.
The world-class tracks in Danao City, the venue for the 1997 Asian Mountainbike Championships and the 2005 SEAg Mountainbike Competitions, will help riders prepare for competitions abroad.
“In Manila, wala kaayo sila’y ka praktisan, diri duol ra kaayo ang bukid ug race route. They can also stay in my house (there are only a few places in Manila where they can practice),” Rodriguez said.
The Philippine Cycling team will arrive in Danao this week for a big race, which gathers 73 foreign pedal-pushers and more than 150 local riders in the first leg of the Asean MTB Cup on June 13 to 15.
“So far this year, this is one of the biggest MTB races. We are taking this as an opportunity, exposure and tune-up. I hope we can get good performance from the team so we can get support and we can attend the Asian (Mountainbike) Championships,” Quiñones said.
He said they also hope to gain support for the second leg of Asean MTB Cup slated on Aug. 15 to 17 in Malaysia.