MANGALDAN, Pangasinan -- Pangasinenses have regained dominance in cycling, said two-time Tour of Luzon champion Jessie Garcia Jr. following the recent victory of his town mate El Joshua Carino, in the Le Tour de Filipinas international cycling competition.
Garcia, now 72, retired from competitive cycling on 1993 and presently works as a sports journalist in Sunday Punch and sports correspondent to Aksyon Radyo Pangasinan.
Nonetheless, his sharp memory on the track record of the legendary victories of Pangasinan cyclists remains intact.
He recalled that on 1955, Tour of Luzon was first held traversing the Manila to Vigan route, which was dominated by Antonio Arzala from Laguna.
“It was Rufino Gabot from Manaoag who was the first Pangasinense to win the eight-day Tour of Luzon in 1957,” he said.
The winning streak remained in Pangasinan in the following years.
Garcia was still able to name the Pangasinense cycling champs in the Tour of Luzon and other national and international competitions; Mamerto Eden of Mapandan (1958); Edmundo De Guzman of Lingayen (1962); Gonzalo Recodes of Manaoag (1963); Teodorico Rimarim of Basista (1974); Samson Carino of Mangaldan (Tour of Picca 1975); Samson Etrata of Binalonan (Tour of Luzon 1975); Modesto Bolzo of Sual (1976); Jacinto Sicam of San Manuel (1981 and 1982); Romeo Bolzo of Sual (1983); Ruben Carino of Mangaldan (1984); Pepito Calip of Binalonan (1985) and Bernardo Llentada of San Nicolas (1991).
It was after a decade when Pangasinan recovered the championship title through Wilfredo Calosa of San Jacinto (2001); followed by Santy Barmachea of Umingan (2002, 2006, 2011, 2015); Arnel Quirimit of Pozorrubio (2003); and Baler Ravina of Asingan (Le Tour de Filipinas 2012).
Garcia was the champion in 1973 and 1977’s Tour of Picca and Tour of Luzon.
Additions to the roster were Ronald Oranza of Villasis, who recently won the Ronda Filipinas, and Carino for Le Tour de Filipinas this year.
In fact, Pangasinan still holds the record of 1:12:51 for a 36-kilometer ride from La Union to Baguio in the person of Pepito Calip.
“A total of 21 champions are from Pangasinan, followed by Manila with only six champs,” said Garcia.
He believes that the Pangasinense cyclists’ edge over the others is the training both in levelled area and uphill climbs since the province is 66.99 kilometers away from Baguio City, training ground for competitive cyclists.
“I always advise the cyclists, even El Joshua, to train hard on the uphill terrain because there a cyclist can develop his endurance and stamina among others,” Garcia said, adding “sprinter sa patag yan pero ang mountain climbing challenge, mahalaga yan para magchampion. (Levelled cycling is for sprinters, but mountain climbing challenge is important to achieve championship).”
He also noted the importance of discipline and good nutrition, aside from rigid and scientific training, which he himself practices.
“Early to bed, early to rise, that’s what I do. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. Hanap ng pagkain na tugma sa katawan (Look for food that matches your body type). Mine is mongo, bulalo and black beans,” he added.
Garcia admitted that cycling is a risky sport, with a number of cyclists got involved in road accidents, but he stressed that the risk is part of the game.
Although already retired, Garcia continues to organize cycling events all over the province and has already numbered 213 since 1974.
He lauded the support of the provincial government under the leadership of Governor Amado Espino III and the former governor Amado Espino Jr.
“It is inspiring for us (cyclists) if our government leaders support the sport, which brought and continue to bring honor to our province,” Garcia said. (PNA)
