AFTER competing for more than two decades, Lloyd Lucien Reynante of Navy-Standard Insurance is hanging up his bike and cycling jersey.
Reynante, one of the most decorated Filipino cyclists today despite not winning the Ronda Pilipinas and the Tour, made the announcement yesterday during the one-week break of the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2017.
“I’m resting my tired body from competition, this Ronda will be my last,” said the 38-year-old Reynante in Filipino.
“I’m blessed beyond belief to have been given this chance to compete against the country’s best in more than 20 years and meeting and working with some great people who supported me, what more can I ask for,” he added.
Reynante, a seaman second class, who is retiring as a Navyman this July after 20 years of military service, did not show regret over his failure to win the Tour, which his father, the late Manuel, won in 1980.
He said his runner up performance to Rhyan Tanguilig, Joel Calderon and Irishman David McCann, the 2004, 2009 and 2010 Tour winners, respectively, and countless top five and top 10 finishes were more than enough to fill that title craving.
“I’m probably the only Filipino rider with the most second place finishes and I have contended in so many others that made me feel that I won it, too,” said Reynante.
After biking, Reynante’ next calling will be coaching.
“I’ve actually been coaching Navy-Standard Insurance for years and if they want me to coach them again next year, it will be an honor for me. I also have a new team in Bike Extrme,” said Reynante.
“I also dream of getting a chance to coach the national team, I hope they give me an opportunity,” he added.
The race will take a week-long break and will resume with Stage 12 set on March 2 in Guimaras and Stages 13 and 14 on March 3 and 4 in Iloilo City.
Ronda is staking P1 million to the champion courtesy of presentor LBC and in partnership with MVP Sports Foundation, Petron, Mitsubishi, Versa.ph, Partas, Maynilad, Standard Insurance, CCN, Bike Xtreme, NLEX, PhilCycling and 3Q Sports Event Management.