๐๐จ ๐๐ถ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐ ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐ฐ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐บ๐ฝ๐ ๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ฐ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฒ๐๐
By: John Elysar Martin, PIO | Photos By: PIO | Date: June 7, 2022
Competing with the best cyclists in the country, a young bike mechanic and a cycling enthusiast from the City of San Fernando, La Union was hailed as the Grand Champion while the other nine bike enthusiast from the province secured spots at the very first Philippine Cycling Festival held at Clark, Pampanga last weekend.
La Union Pride Ariel Flora tops the Pro Gravel category and also placed 1st in the Pro Gravel category for ages 19-34 while he placed 9th in the XCO Men's Elite Category.
In an interview with the Provincial Information Office, Flora shared his new achievement with great pleasure and assert that he is proud in representing the Province of La Union.
"Sobra iti ragsakko iti panangabakko gapu ta pinagsaganaak met dadiay nga event ken proud ak nga in-represent iti Probinsia iti La Union," he said.
The 23-year old La Union champ did not expect the achievement due to lack of sleep prior the event and being unfamiliar with the racing routes however despite these challenges along the way, he was able to finish the track safely and clinches victory.
He received special awards including cash prize, and a medal. He is part of the La Union Multi-sport racing team and has been in cycling industry for almost ten years with his family, friends, supporters and teammates being his main source of inspiration.
"Talagan a nakahiligak gaminen ti cycling, isu met iti nagpush kaniak a sumali iti competition. Inaramid kon daytoy a tuloy tuloy tapno ma-inspire ko met dagiti agtutubo a maiyadayo da iti bisyo ken masuro da ti sports. Puro ubbing ti innalami a ka-teammi tapno isu iti pagrugrugian a mangirepresent iti cycling iti Probinsia ken bareng a ti Sports ti makatulong kanyada kas kanyak met tapno makilala met saan laeng nga iti Probinsia no diket iti intero a Pilipinas," he added.
Flora is now preparing and looking forward for his next race in Danao, Cebu for the National Championship next week. He encouraged then the youth to try cycling as this will give them more opportunities while boosting their cycling prowess in the said sport.
He believes in his motto as an athlete that, "The pain you feel today is the strength you feel for tomorrow."
Among the La Union Pride who are also part of his team securing spots in the said event were Leia Angeles who garnered 3rd place for XCO Women's Open and 4th place for the Gravel Women Category for ages 35-39; Kasandra Pfeifer bags 6th place in the XCO Women's Junior; Jaypee Olarte captured the 7th place for XCO Men's Elite; Warren Casil placed 9th in Gravel category for ages 35-39; Ervin John Laureta also seized 11th place for XCO Men's Elite; Allen Beltran won the 12th place for XCO Junior; Dexter Torres secures his 13th place for XCO Men's Elite; Raymark Poliรฑo obtained the 13th place for XCO Junior; and Josiah Tudor being the 20th place for Criterium.
The Provincial Government of La Union lauds the winners for bringing pride and honor to the Province through their sport while committing to empower the youth through development programs that will help them maximize their potentials.
