Pinoy cyclists in Tour de France?

MANILA, Philippines – Can we someday see the Philippines’ tri-colors speeding off in the Tour de France or Giro d’Italia? That is if the plan to send Filipino riders in a training camp in Italy pushes through. According to Liquigaz president Arnel Ty, he is studying the idea of sending at least three local riders in Italy in order to open up the opportunity for Filipino cyclists to join the Liquigaz team in next year’s Tour de France. Ty added that Filipino cyclists Jeffrey Monton, Jackie Lloyd Berjame, Nico Barreto and Michael Ochoa will undergo a series of test races until December to determine if they have the skills to race in Europe. The Liquigaz president added that Filipino cyclists will also have to learn to speak Italian before sending them to the Liquigas training camp in January. “This is our chance to see a Filipino cyclist in the Tour de France. I hope one of these riders could make history by qualifying in the Liquigaz team," said Ty. Ty said that a series of races starting next month will be able to check if Monton, Berjame, Barreto and Ochoa have what it takes to race in Europe. – Perry Legaspi, GMANews.TV