Bernie “Kamagong” Llentada first tried out for the Marlboro Tour in 1987 but was unsuccessful. He returned the following year, in 1988, and competed alongside Carlo Guieb. His career in the Marlboro Tour, considered the longest-running endurance cycling classic in the Philippines, lasted until its conclusion in 1998.
During his time in the Marlboro Tour, Kamagong earned a reputation as a climber, highway rider, and time trialist. One of his most remarkable achievements was winning the final stage of the 1991 Marlboro Tour, riding a cutting-edge bike equipped with aero bars. He became the first Filipino to use this innovation in professional cycling.
With a 40-second deficit to Carlo Guieb before the penultimate stage of the 1991 Marlboro Tour, Bernie Llentada easily overtook him in the Individual Time Trial, completing the 32-km course around the Cultural Center of the Philippines using his aero bars. This technological advantage gave him a significant aerodynamic boost during the race.
Throughout his career in the Marlboro Tour, his biggest archrivals included Placido Valdez, Carlo Guieb, and Renato Dolosa, among others. According to Kamagong, one of his most memorable stage victories was in the taxing San Pablo, Laguna to Daet, Camarines Norte stage in 1991, where he finished unchallenged for several kilometers.
Kamagong credited much of his success to his coach, Cesar Lobramante, who played a key role in his cycling career.
After hanging up his wheels, Kamagong took the helm of the Philippine Navy Standard Insurance Men’s Elite team, a role he held until 2014. Following this, he became the coach of the women’s cycling team from 2014 to 2022.
www.dwaentertainment.com 
Leave a comment