The Philippines’ Victoria Sports Pro Cycling (VSPC) Team is set for a major transformation, boasting a strengthened roster comprising newly recruited Filipino and European riders. The team, in its second year as the country’s third Union Cycliste Internationale squad, has ambitious plans to participate in one local and 15 international races throughout the year.
Pako Ochoa, a representative and key member of the team, envisions that the substantial overhaul in VSPC’s lineup will fortify the team’s technology transfer program, ultimately benefiting the nation’s cyclists.
“VSPC is a team for the Filipino,” Ochoa emphasized. “Our dream is to elevate Philippine cycling to the highest level possible, and this could be achieved by giving our riders an opportunity to compete and experience the level of competition in more international races.”
In addition to competing in the National Championships in the Philippines, VSPC riders are slated to participate in a diverse array of international races, including the Tour de Taiwan, Volta Limburg Classic (Netherlands), Belgrade Banjaluka (Serbia), Vuelta Asturias (Spain), GP. Intl Beiras Serra De Estralla (Portugal), Jelajah Cycling Series Surakarta (Indonesia), Tour of Hellas (Greece), Tour of Estonia, Tour of Malopolska (Poland), Aziz Shusha (Azerbaijan), Sibiu Cycling Tour (Romania), Tour De Banyuwangi Ijen (Indonesia), Prueba Villafranca – Ordiziako Klasika, Circuito De Getxo-Memorial Hermanos Otxoa (Spain), and the Tour D’ Indonesia.
Ochoa anticipates a smoother journey to these competitions compared to the challenges faced last year. Reflecting on the previous season, he mentioned, “Last year’s formula was not easy. But we need to earn experiences from the European riders, staff, and races. Transfer of technology is important to us if we want to elevate the level of the sports here at home.”
Jose Jaoa Mendes, a Portuguese rider, is a returning member from last year’s foreign contingent of VSCP. He will be joined by Brazilian Nicolas Sessler, Spanish Edgar Nieto, and Dutch Jeroen Meijers in strengthening the squad, which boasts Spanish cyclist Hector Carretero as its sports director.
