Better days ahead for Victoria Sports Pro Cycling

Victoria Sports Pro Cycling (VSPC), the Philippines’ premier pro cycling team, is set to maintain its unstoppable momentum from 2024 and charge into 2025 with the goal of dominating new international racing circuits, bringing even greater honor and pride to the country.

VSPC unveiled a busy schedule for the 2025 season, with around 20 races listed on the International Cycling Union (UCI) calendar, following a productive year.

VSPC founder and team captain Paco Ochoa said this presents a perfect opportunity to put the Philippines on the map and shine brighter on the global cycling stage.

“Mahilig akong manood ng billiards, so noong panahon pa nina  Efren at Django, nakakatuwa na nakakakita ka ng Filipino na nasa top level ng kung anong sport sila. Ganun din sina Manny Pacquiao. Then feeling ko, itong past five or six years, parang nagkaroon ng third wave ng mga Filipino athletes na nagpapakita sa atin na kaya naman natin talaga,” said Ochoa  during the VSPC thanksgiving party  at the Victoria Sports Tower in Quezon City.

“Kung maayos yung suporta at training at nasa magandang environment, kaya nating makarating doon sa top level,” explained Ochoa.

“Yun yung pinakamalaking inspiration para sa amin kasi kasama sa formula for success yung meron kang pinagkokopyahan. Di mo na kailangan pang mag-imbento ng panibagong formula para sa sarili mo kasi ito na yung ginagawa nina EJ Obiena.”.

The first priority for the VSPC’s squad will be the Sharjah Tour in the United Arab Emirates this January.

VSPC competed in over 20 races across 18 countries, with local standout Ean Cajucom making a significant impact.

Cajucom claimed victory at the Ramos Cycling Race, while Nichol Pareja dominated the PhilCycling National Championships’ individual time trial (ITT) event. Nicolas Sessler took top honors in both the General Classification (GC) and the second stage of the Tour of Salalah in Oman, where Jeroen Meijers also earned a third-place finish in Stage 4.

Meijers secured sixth place in the General Classification, while Cajucom earned a fourth-place finish in Stage 3 of the Trans-Himalayan Racing Race in China.

Meijers went on to win the Road Race, and Cajucom finished as runner-up in the criterium at the OITA Urban Classic in Japan. Meanwhile, Marcelo Felipe claimed the King of the Mountain title in Stage 1b of the International Tour of Hellas in Greece and finished 19th overall.

VSPC claimed victory at the Oita Classic and delivered impressive performances at the Tour of Salalah in Oman (3rd), the Tour of Routhe Salvation in Turkey (4th), and the Trans-Himalayan Cycling Race in China (5th).

The momentum didn’t stop there. After their stint in the UAE, VSPC will return home for the Philippine Nationals before embarking on a world tour with stops in the Netherlands, Slovenia, Greece, Turkey, Spain, Serbia, Japan, Lithuania, China, Romania, Indonesia, Oman, and Malaysia.

For the 2025 season, VSPC will field a 15-man roster, including four foreign reinforcements to join Ochoa, Cajucom, Sessler, Meijers, Pareja, and Felipe. The new additions are Alexis Pagara, Ismael Grospe Jr., Daniel Ven Cariño, and Edson Carbadora, along with Miguel Andrei Obmerga, Kenneth Maramba, and Edgar Nieto. Veteran Spanish rider Hector Carretero will serve as the sports director, while local champions El Joshua Cariño and R-Jay Peralta will join Carretero as assistant sports directors.

The Victoria Sports Pro Cycling club with their backers, and  former Quezon City mayor Sonny Belmonte.