Reynante, Espiritu set to reclaim RP slots

LLOYD Reynante and Victor Espiritu are all set to reclaim their slots on the national cycling pool for road racing after emerging 1-2 in last month’s first of a series of trials now being enforced by the PhilCycling, the national federation for the sport.

Reynante topped the massed start and individual time trial of the initial trials held simultaneously with Tagaytay City Mayor Bambol Tolentino’s annual Pista ng Pag-ibig event to amass 40 points (20 points for first place per event). Espiritu, a former Tour champion, was second with 37 points.

The other notables in the top 10 who also set to clinch spots in the national pool are Lito Atilano (29 points), Baler Ravina (29), Arnel Quirimit (29), Ronnel Hualda (29), Dessi Hardin (17), Ericson Obosa (15) and Sherwin Diamsay (15).

Roberto Gutierrez was a surprise performer with 16 points, but the Batangas native is no longer qualified for the national pool because he is already 38. He, however, is strongly qualified to lead the masters (31 years and above) pool which the federation will also maintain.

Conspicuously missing from the list are former Tour champions Santy Barnachea and Warren Davadilla.

They are the object of an inquiry being held by the PhilCycling ethics committee headed by Fred Corda for infractions committed during the Tagaytay trials.

The two failed to beat the deadline for registration but insisted on racing during the day of the race. They may be stripped of their UCI licenses and suspended for at least three months.

The PhilCycling, headed by businessman Bert Lina, is holding four trials a year in determining the members of the road, track and mountain bike national pool.

The next trials for all disciplines are scheduled in mid-April, late June or early July and the fourth and last, the national open in early October.

The trials are being supervised by commission chairmen Leo Magaway (road), Paquito Rivas (mountain bike), Carlos Gredonia (track) and Jojo Villa (BMX).