Former national cycling team member Jan Paul Morales and 2015 Women’s Elite Individual Time Trial National Champion Jermyn Prado dominated PRUride PH 2018 with double-gold medal performances in both elite races held on January 11 to 14 in Subic, Zambales and January 21 at McKinley West in Taguig City.
PRUride PH 2018 doubled the number of participants from its maiden event in 2016 and gathered more than 2,000 amateur and seasoned cyclists from all over the country and Southeast Asia. The riders had to hurdle a challenging but scenic route from Subic to the historic Mount Samat in Bataan and back, as well as an exciting 2.5-kilometer circuit in McKinley West.
24-year-old Prado bested her competitors, including two-time Asian Mountain Bike Champion Ariana Dormitorio, in the 98-kilometer Women’s Elite category of the Philippine National Road Race Championships and Criterium Women’s Elite. “[The races] were very challenging because of the strong winds and my even-stronger competitors, but I’m happy I won – this is all for my daughter,” said Prado.
For Morales, both the 160-kilometer-equivalent Road Race competition and Criterium race were difficult in different ways, so it was very fulfilling for him to have emerged victor in both.
Morales and Prado each pocketed a total of PhP 100,000 for their grand slam win and will officially represent the Philippines in the 2018 Prudential RideLondon – the largest cycling festival in the world hosted annually by Pru Life UK’s parent company, British financial services giant Prudential plc.
They will be joined by Southeast Asian Games veterans George Oconer and Marella Salamat – second placers of the Criterium Men’s and Women’s Elite categories – as well as all-expense-paid trip to London raffle winners Bertrand Teplitxky and John Kenneth Cruz.
A cycling affair for everyone
Aside from the elite categories for the pro athletes, and the age-group and open categories for amateurs, cycling enthusiasts led by Pru Life UK employees and agents also participated in the Community Fun Ride held in McKinley. Registered bikers also attended the PRUride Bike Expo where different brands and organizations showcased their products and services.
Capping the races in McKinley was the Brompton Philippine Championships where Brompton bike owners were all speed – or snail’s pace, in the case of the Slowest Lap Challenge – while wearing barong tagalog or suits.
PRUride PH 2018 jersey and finisher’s medals were given to participants, and raffle prizes were handed out to lucky draw winners by event sponsors and exhibitors.
Cycling for a better tomorrow
“More than a gathering of the country’s strongest cyclists, PRUride PH 2018 is a testimony of Pru Life UK’s commitment to promote responsible and safe cycling in the country,” said Pru Life UK Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Allan Tumbaga. “We also hope to increase awareness on cycling as an alternative mode of transportation so we can all work towards having a safe and environment-friendly community for generations to come.”
Top international Fil-Am racing cyclist and an advocate of the sport Coryn Rivera graced PRUride PH 2018 and joined the 100-kilometer Gran Fondo in Subic. Likewise, one of the United Kingdom’s best female road racers Maxine Filby participated in the Criterium Women’s Elite race in McKinley West.
“Cycling has massive health benefits. It’s good for your blood pressure, metabolism and even mental health,” said Filby. “I highly encourage everyone to give cycling a try.”
PRUride PH 2018 was co-organized by Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines – the national governing body for cycling in the Philippines and the only cycling organization recognized by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, and Union Cycliste Internationale.
