Iloilo’s rising cycling stars, Allaeza Mae Gulmatico and Maria Louisse Crisselle Alejado, continued their dominance at the PhilCycling National Championships for Road, securing their second gold medals in the Individual Time Trial (ITT) races on Tuesday, February 25. The national championship, presented by MVP Sports Foundation and Standard Insurance, saw these young riders outclass the competition in Nasugbu and Batulao, Batangas.

Gulmatico, competing in the Women’s Youth 1 ITT category for riders aged 12 to 14, edged out her closest rival, Ysabel Nicole Jamero, by a razor-thin margin of just 0.38 seconds. She completed the 5.38-kilometer course in 14 minutes and 45.90 seconds, proving her resilience despite challenging race conditions, including a cold drizzle and strong crosswinds. Joanna Mae Armendez took bronze, finishing nearly 50 seconds behind.

Alejado delivered an equally impressive performance in the Women’s Youth 2 ITT category, completing the 8.60-km race in 22:46.51. She dominated the competition, finishing 24 seconds ahead of Yvaine Osias, while Althea Coronado settled for bronze, trailing by more than three minutes.

These victories come just a day after Gulmatico and Alejado also won gold in their respective Criterium races at the Tagaytay City Atrium. Their performances have given Iloilo a strong start in the five-day tournament, which gathers over 700 cyclists from various categories.

Meanwhile, Jaime Yuendhale Chavez captured gold in the Men’s Youth 2 ITT, completing the 8.60-km course in 22:50.93. Silmar Khen Silao secured silver, while John Granad finished with bronze, crossing the line in Barangay Kaylaway in Batulao more than four minutes behind.

Criterium champion Jazmine Kaye Vinoya nearly secured a second gold but had to settle for silver in the Women’s Junior ITT, finishing just five seconds behind gold medalist Mary Gwennielle Francisco (30:51.86). Eloiza Pajarito (31:07.66) took bronze in the 10.68-km event.

In the Men’s Junior ITT, John Ace Villasenor (29:21.31) topped the 10.68-km race, besting Emmanuel Vicente (29:26.91) and Ely Ignacio III (29:30.26) to claim the gold.

The PhilCycling National Championships, organized by the PhilCycling body under Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, continues with more events, including road races and additional ITT categories. With the national championship serving as a breeding ground for future cycling stars, Gulmatico and Alejado have already cemented themselves as promising talents in Philippine cycling.