Vigan City—The early months of 2020 is proving to be an encouraging time for a younger generation of riders like Daniel Ven Carino.
His stint in the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 10th anniversary race has earned the 21-year-old Carino the General Under-23 Classification honors.
“Binigyan ako ng panibagong pag-asa, at panibagong lakas ng loob sa aking pagsali sa mga susunod na karera,” said Carino.
With many veteran riders considering retirement, Carino, the younger kin of Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance rider El Joshua Carino, is relishing the early months of 2020.
That’s because he also placed second in the Youth Classification of the Cambodia Bay Cycling Tour last month.
His good showing in the Ronda races is now encouraging him to go for a loftier position in the general classifications the next time around.
“Sa susunod na mga karera ay baka puwede na akong GC contender,” added Carino.
During Stage 8, Carino proved to his older brother El Joshua of the Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance that he can hold his own in the steep mountainous climb towards the Burnham finish line here.
Daniel stuck it out with the Navymen as they assaulted the last 64-kilometer of uphill roads heading into Baguio City. He claimed the stage honors at the end of the 170.6 km ride from Palayan, Nueva Ecija.
In winning the Under-23 plum, the Mangaldan, Pangasinan-born Carino led Go For Gold to the top 3 podium finish.
Teammates Ismael Grospe Jr. and Jericho Lucero ended up in second and third places.
And the young Carino could soon have experienced hands teaching valuable lessons in the future.
That’s because Team Gold Go For Gold is seeking out retiring veteran rider Santy Barnachea as their new coach.
Barnachea said he wasn’t supposed to compete for Team Go For Gold during Ronda’s 10th edition.
But their team manager Ednalyn Hualda asked him to stay on and lead the younger generation of Go For Gold riders.
“Dapat hindi na ako kasali sa Ronda, pero pinakiusapan ako na dalhin ang team. Ang ensayo ko kasi ay hindi ganoon kataas ang level,” said Barnachea.
Barnachea really felt it was time to go when 26-year old Kenneth Solis of Team Tarlac-Central Luzon earned his best finish in a professional race in five years.
Barnachea’s bid to make a break for the stage win in the final kilometer became a cue for a five-man breakaway group to leave the latter behind.
Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance came up with their best finish, behind George Oconer, who won the overall individual honors. Their teammates, led by 2018 titlist Ronald Oranza, Ronald Lomotos, John Mark Camingao, Junrey Navarra and El Joshua Carino were in second to sixth places.
