13 RP riders unlucky in Laos SEA Games bid

The number 13 proved to be unlucky for the Philippine cycling squad after the International Cycling Union’s (Union Cycliste International, UCI) rejected the country’s appeal to allow 12 of its cyclists to compete in the 25th Laos Southeast Asian Games. The 11-nation Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF), on Monday, appealed to UCI to allow the 12 Filipino riders to see action in the biennial meet.

The Philippines, through Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) sport and rules committee head Go Teng Kok, made the appeal, which was later endorsed by the SEAGF, since only UCI-licensed cyclists are allowed to compete in tournaments sanctioned by the world governing body like the SEA Games. The Philippines sent a 13-strong RP Team delegation led by 2007 Thailand SEAG gold medalists Alfie Catalan, Joey Barba and Maritess Bitbit. Others in the squad are Irish Valenzuela, Jan Paul Morales, Eusebio Quiñones, Frederick Feliciano, March McQuin Aleonar, Alvin Benosa, Scott Remie, Ana Marissa Remigio, Julius Mark Bonzo and Ronald Gorantes. Cycling begins Thursday and offers eight gold medals, four each in both divisions. The events are down hill, cross country, individual time trial (40k for men's, 30k for women's) and individual road race (160.3 for male, 116.1 for women). The Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (PhilCycling) is currently embroiled in a leadership dispute between the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC)-recognized group of businessman Mikee Romero and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)-backed faction of Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino. UCI president Pat McQuiad, on Tuesday, denied the appeal and stressed, in an email to Lao National Olympic Committee vice president Kasem Inthara, that cyclists recognized by the world governing body from Tolentino’s group are the ones allowed to compete. “In the present situation, PhilCycling (Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines) is recognized to be the national federation of the Philippines," said McQuaid. McQuaid stated Article 1.1.002 of the UCI regulations that only riders who hold a valid UCI license issued by their member federations and affiliates will be allowed to compete in UCI-sanctioned events such as the SEA Games. “Consequently, the UCI does not recognize the riders who hold another license that the one delivered by PhilCycling," McQuaid added. The 13 cyclists were given accreditation by the POC but only Bitbit holds a UCI license and is recognized by both factions. Bitbit struck gold in women’s road race two years ago in Nakhon Ratchasima with Catalan (men’s individual pursuit) and Barba (men’s downhill) adding two more. Victor Espiritu topped the men’s point race but decided not to compete in the Laos edition of the SEA Games. The country and its athletes were once again at the losing end following UCI’s decision as the ongoing feud between the POC and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) practically denied the RP riders the chance of winning medals in the biennial event. PSC chairman Harry Angping said in a statement that the country’s efforts were wasted based on the UCI decision. “This was a lost opportunity for the country. Sending a team that would inevitably be prohibited from competing was a waste of resources. We could have assembled and sent the best qualified and licensed riders who have the biggest chance of winning at least one or two gold medals in this event." UCI’s decision also put to waste P840,000 (P70,000 per athlete) that the POC spent in sending the 12 athletes. The PSC did not fund the RP cycling team after Tolentino decided not to form a squad in Laos due to the ongoing leadership dispute. Tolentino also said RP rider that would defy the UCI ban will face sanctions from PhilCylcing and would be banned to compete in local races in the Philippines. – GMANews.TV