Like Balong, the Cycling Search Invitational also aims to discover young and talented cycling aspirants who have potentials in playing in the professional level. Unlike in road tours or velodrum races, upcoming cyclists have better chances to compete and succeed in the criterium races since the course are usually level surfaces which are easier to pedal than ascending tracks.
Participants of the CSI go as young as 8 years old, which starts in the People's Race and Youth Categories, provided that they are allowed by their parents or guardians and accompanied in races. Parents of these young players are equally delighted with the chance given to their children. Some riders who previously competed in amateur categories have already elevated to Professional Categories like Rudolfo Malangsa. A participant of the Youth Category in the 3rd Cycling Search Invitational, he joined the recent Padyak Pinoy, qualifying him for the Pro Category
Malangsa from the Break-away Cycling Club in Tarlac, beats veteran and international campaigners like Victor Espiritu, a Marlboro Tour champion, Bernard Luzon, the first Filipino to win a stage in the international competition in Indonesia, Merculio Ramos, the first Filipino to wear the Yellow Jersey in the Tour of Langkawi in Malaysia and other tour champions who are also contenders in the Professional Category. Like Romaquin, Malangsa says that the secret behind his surprising win is discipline, hard work and regular practice despite the changing weathers due to the rainy season. He is determined to defend his title in the remaining nine legs of the competition even if it takes him all the way to Cebu City.
Not just for upcoming riders, the Cycling Search Invitational also serves as a venue for veteran riders and former champions to continuously enhance their skills and gives proper recognition to their achievements. Admittedly, with the lack of proper races for our riders, some have already shifted to regular jobs, setting aside their talents to provide for the needs of their families.
It is even more depressing to note the condition of some veteran riders who had given international recognition to the Philippines as one of the countries producing some of the best cyclists in Asia
Mang Boy Quirimit, a 67-year old veteran campaigner can only look back and smile at his golden years of playing in the cycling track. A silver medallist in the Asian Championship, a champion in various local and Asian tours and a participant in the World Champiosnhiop, Mang Boy is recognized as one of best cyclist outside of the country. Today, Mang Boy serves as a masseur for other riders to meet his everyday needs. He is saddened with the seemingly lack of acknowledgement and proper compensation not just for champion cyclists like him but also to other players who had put the country on the pedestal in international events. He still hopes that the government will put more effort in ensuring that their triumph is not wasted, providing insurance to them at the most.
"Playing in the road will always be in the heart of every cyclist, whether there a small or big pot is in the finish line", Romaquin added. "But it will be more encouraging to players if there will be additional organized events wherein we can participate."
True to its vision and mission, the CSI continuous to support our riders in achieving their dreams of making it big in the cycling sport. And through the support of sponsors including the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Long Distance Telecom, Lamoiyan Corporation, Landbank, Smart, Burlington, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Speed and the Philippine Postal Corporation, along with its media partners, the roads to our cyclist's dreams may not be bumpy and hard after all.
