Leslie (left) and Lovely Gitaruelas (right). | Contributed photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Gitaruelas sisters in cycling, Leslie and Lovely, are gearing up for their biggest race of the year, the Taiwan King of the Mountain (KoM) Challenge 2023 on October 27, 2023, at the Wuling Pass in Mounta Hue Huan.
Leslie and Lovely, who are the two current top Cebuana cyclists these days, earned their slot in the Taiwan KoM Challenge 2023 as part of their winnings in the inaugural “Queen of the Mountain” bike race last July in Cebu.
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Uphill cycling race
This time, they will test their mettle in this international uphill cycling race, which has been happening in Taiwan since 2012. The race covers over 105-kilometers of virtually uphill route ascending over 3,275 meters all the way to the summit of Mount Hue Huan.
For the 23-year-old Leslie Gitaruelas, she is grinding herself for the past two months after winning the title of the QOM Cebu. Also, she admits that she has a mixed feeling of competing in the upcoming Taiwan race since it’s her first international stint.
“My preparation for this event is not easy, so far there is an improvement (gamay) unlike the past months, there is still a lot of pain to go through,” said Gitaruelas.
“This is my first time to compete in an international event. I feel excited and nervous at the same time because this is not just a normal race like I used to, I will be competing against international riders. My expectation for this race is that it will be challenging, full of pain and struggles. I will suffer until I cross the finish line. I hope we can finish safely,” she said.
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First King of Mountain race
Meanwhile, Leslie’s older sister, Lovely, has a contrasting view on her preparation despite training together for the upcoming race. Lovely, who finished second in the QOM Cebu, said she was having a great time training.
“My preparation has been great. Definitely, (it was) not easy as it’s mostly uphills. It’s very challenging, but I like challenges, and I’m trying my best to follow and execute the program,” said Lovely.
“It’s not my first time competing abroad, but this is my first ever KOM race, very different from my forte as I am mostly racing in circuits and normal road races.Taiwan KOM is different because it’s a 105 km uphill race, high altitude race, we’ll be going 3,500+ meters above sea level,” she said.
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Daughters of marathoner, athlete Liezl Gitaruelas
Those, who aren’t aware, the Gitaruelas sisters are daughters of vaunted marathoner and athlete Liezl Gitaruelas.
Leslie and QOM’s second placer Karen Andrea Manayon along with Lovely and fellow cyclist Elmer Navarro are training together in Cebu under GGC Team to prepare for the upcoming Taiwan KOM race.
“I expect that it’s gonna be really tough, dangerous and will be oozing with adrenaline. I just hope to finish the race safely and bring home the bacon. Bisag asa namong tulo makasulod (among the three of us can enter) is a win already coz magtinabangay man mi (because we help each other), we’ll be a team when we go there. Any mate’s win is our win,” Lovely Gitaruelas said.