Ronald Oranza. Photo from PSC

Southeast Asian Games medalists Ronald Oranza and Jan Paul Morales are set to compete in the eight-stage Tour of Luzon: Great Revival, which kicks off on Thursday, April 24, in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.

Oranza, who bagged two bronze medals in the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, and Morales will lead a Union Cycliste Internationale continental team alongside seasoned rider Junrey Navarra. They are among 10 members of the Philippine national team spread across various squads in the revived tour.

National road race champion Marcelo Felipe and Nichol Pareja will represent the Victoria Sports Pro Cycling Team, while Ruzzel Agapito rides for 7-Eleven Click Roadbike Philippines. The Philippines’ Under-23 Tom N Toms team is headed by Steven Tablizo and Andrei Deudor, with Joshua Pacsual and Julius Tudtud competing under Excellent Noodles and DReyna Orion Cement, respectively.

The tour opens with a ceremony at the Unesco-listed San Agustin Church in Paoay, with Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla and Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino in attendance. Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Manotoc and Paoay Mayor Shiella Galano will welcome the 119 riders from 17 teams.

The tour spans 1,074.90 kilometers and includes a mix of road races and time trials. The stages run from Paoay through key northern Luzon cities and conclude with a challenging climb to Camp John Hay in Baguio City.