The Go For Gold Philippines Continental Team is focused on developing its young riders in preparation for bigger races ahead.
Some of these promising Go For Gold cyclists will be tested in the forthcoming Asian Road Cycling Championships 2019 on April 23-28 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Ismael Grospe Jr. and Daniel Ven Carino will spearhead the country’s under-23 squad together with Joshua Mari Bonifacio while Ean Cajucom, Efren Reyes Jr. and Marc Ryan Lago are the talented bets in the junior road race.
"I believe that this group is even more talented than our last group, so I have the expectation that they will surpass our experience last year,’’ said Go For Gold godfather Jeremy Go.
Carino is also scheduled to race in the junior individual time trial event with Lago.
Reyes, Grospe and Carino gamely showed a glimpse of their potential on the scorching roads of Filinvest City in Alabang in a well-planned race during the recent PRUride Criterium 2019.
“From the start, we are really focused on developing our riders for the future of Philippine cycling,’’ said Go For Gold project director Ednalyn Hualda.
According to Hualda, the Go For Gold riders are bound for more international races after the ACC as they aim to earn a shot at qualifying to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
Other members of the squad are team captain Ronnel Hualda, Jay Lampawog, Rex Luis Krog, Ronnilan Quita, Elmer Navarro, Jericho Jay Lucero and Boots Ryan Cayubit.
Aside from cycling, Go For Gold already has a stable of champions in skateboarder Margielyn Didal, the Philippine dragonboat team from the Philippine Canoe-Kayak Dragonboat Federation and reigning Southeast Asian Games men’s triathlon champion Nikko Huelgas.
Go For Gold is also backing the national athletes from wrestling, sepak takraw, the Philippine Air Force volleyball squad and the San Juan Knights in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League