VICTORIA Sports Cycling Team (VSCT) vowed to raise the flag and become one of the country's premiere cycling teams.

Officially launched last Saturday, the 11-man International Cycling Union-recognized team is composed of Filipino and Portuguese professionals.

'This is a strong team. It is hard to set up a team like this with European bikers because of the different factors like training, logistics, etc. But the good thing is that we can learn from them as much as they can learn from us also,' said Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham 'Bambol' Tolentino during the launch at Victoria Sports Tower in Quezon City.

Leading the pack of Filipino cyclists is 28-year-old sprinter Pako Ochoa, who has carved a name for himself in the European circuit.

Ochoa will be joined by fellow Filipino riders Jhay Oconer, Kelvin Mendoza, Luis Krog, Ean Cajucom, Daniel Cariño and Jerry Aquino.

The other members of the team are Portuguese riders Marcio Barbosa, Pedro Paulinho, José Mendes and André Cardoso.

Mendes and Cardoso are both experienced professional cyclists.

Mendes is a former World Tour Rider for Bora-Hansgrohe and a two-time Portuguese national road champion while Cardoso is a former World Tour rider for Trek Segafredo.

The new team will see action in the Tour of Sharjah from January 27 to 31 in the United Arab Emirates.

'This is our first race as a team and we hope to stay on our bikes since we have a long season ahead,' said Ochoa to The Manila Times.

Ochoa, the eldest son of former executive secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., believed that the upcoming tour will ignite them together and create a stronger bond.

'Our main goal is to know each other during the race, create chemistry, and really define our roles in the team,' added Ochoa.

'And of course, if there's an opportunity to have a good finish, then, we will do it,' Ochoa concluded.

VSCT is headed by sports director Micael Isidro of Portugal and assisted by former Filipino pro cyclist Rayzon Galdonez.

'Our European imports will be a huge help for the team since we are bringing their talent here so that our athletes can adapt their skills as well,' said Galdonez.

Aside from Isidro and Galdonez, the team's officers include lawyer Franco Lacandalo as team representative and Jobert Catina will play as the rider care and mechanic.

Owned by New San Jose Builders, Inc., VSCT also has the support of San Miguel Corp., Banco De Oro, SM, Grab Philippines, and Mr. Kevin Wong.

VSCT is also backed by Gruppo Innovare Corp.-Specialized Philippines, Neo Zigma Cycle Corp.-Shimano and PRO, Cofides Competição, Cebu Pacific, Rudy Project, Manuel L. Quezon University, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, VS Hotel, and Schroeder's Deli.