Pemanukan and  Subang, West Java
9 a.m. – W  24-km. individual time trials
2 p.m. – M 50-km. individual time trials


BEKASI, West Java – Back in harness after missing the opportunity to race in Laos two years ago, Filipino riders attempt to conquer the road events of the 26th Southeast Asian Games starting here Monday.

“With our strong lineup, we are eyeing two to three golds in the road competitions,” said head coach  Cesar Lobramonte, of the track team composed of veteran Lloyd Lucien  Reynante and 2009  Tour champion Mark Galedo.

Galedo and another grizzled campaigner, Ronald Gorantes, will race in Monday’s 50.7-km men’s individual time trials at the uphill Pemanukan, Subang Road in West Java, a three-hour drive from the Indonesian capital of Jakarta.

Also marking her return to the regional sportsfest is 2007 Thailand Games gold medallist Marites Bitbit, who will be the lone Filipino entry in the women’s 24-km individual time trial over the same course earlier in the day.

Other road team members are George Oconer, son of former Olympian Bert Oconer, and reserve Semico Buloso, who will go into action with Galedo, Gorantes and Reynante in the team time trials set for Tuesday.

Lobramonte said that the route, which was virtually the same used in the 1997 SEA Games, is tailor-made for the Filipino campaigners, who are all noted uphill specialists.

“Pabor sa atin ang ruta kasi iyung last 30 kilometers (sa men’s individual time trials) puro na paahon kung saan magaling ang mga riders na pinadala natin rito, katulad nina Macmac (Galedo) at Lloyd,” he said.

While Gorantes or Oconer were not able to compete abroad, Lobramonte said the recent LBC Ronda Pilipinas cycling marathon has kept his cyclists in competitive shape.

He is also banking on the international experience of Reynante and Galedo, both members of the 7-11 RoadBike Phils. Squad, to boost the medal chances of the nationals.