The Ford Forza Triathlon Team is gearing up for a strong finish in this year’s Ironman 70.3 with new members and a more rigorous training that started early this year.

The Ford Philippines-backed triathlon team is bound for Cebu to participate in one of the biggest triathlon races in Asia this August 6, which is anticipated to gather 2,500 athletes from 45 different countries.

“We are excited to partner with the Ford Forza triathlon team who has showcased their commitment and dedication to the sport over the years. For years, not only have they gone further, they have also served as an inspiration to a bigger majority because of their life stories and journeys and their motivation to make it big with the sport. With this, we are delighted to rally behind these athletes as they brave through tough challenges and races this year,” said Prudz Castillo, AVP for Marketing, Ford Philippines.

Led by businessman Gianluca Guidicelli, Ford Forza boasts a diverse mix of members from different industries. Actors Matteo Guidicelli and Ivan Carapiet, TV host and sports correspondent Dyan Castillejo, entrepreneur Giorgia Guidicelli, cancer survivor Joey Torres, long-time triathletes Elmo Clarabal, Joseph Miller, business manager Ian Solana, triathlon coach Noel Salvador, and businessman Jomer Lim are amongst the current Forza members.

This year, the team has expanded its roster to include 20 members ranging from 10-50 years old. These new members include businessmen Romeo Castro and Tyrone Tan, 2013 Pinoy Biggest Loser participants and brothers Ralph David Du and Yves Christian Du, sports enthusiasts Patricia Espino, Donikko Fernan, and Christian Saladaga, and cyclist Ica Maximo – all very active in multi-sport events.

In its earlier years, the Ford Forza triathlon team created an advocacy supporting talented Filipino athletes who loved the sport but lacked the means to race –giving these athletes the opportunity to be part of the team. To date, Ford Forza triathlon team has gone further and provided its team members with everything to race – a free ride for the whole year, rigorous and tough training sessions, and the pride to represent the team in races. This year, Christian Saladaga, one of their strongest teammates, whose background is as inspiring as his passion for the sport, has beat some of this year’s best athletes in past competitions.

“The team is especially driven this time. We have new members, and everyone is just excited to race harder and tougher this year. I have great confidence in my team—we’re strong. We are called ‘Forza’ after all. Having Ford, who is just as tough as we are, to back us up once again, only fuels our desire to keep racing and to keep inspiring,” shared Gianluca Guidicelli.

Inspiring athletes to be potential winners drive the Ford Forza triathlon team. New members Ralph and Christian Du continue to go further in the sport when they started off as contestants in a reality TV show. Losing more than a hundred pounds each, the brothers motivate and inspire each other to be fit through various family activities and sports. They then ventured into the world of multi-sport racing and never looked back.

As a multi-discipline sport, triathlon has evolved making it the ultimate endurance test for athletes in the form of cycling, running, and swimming. Through the continued partnership, the Ford Forza triathlon team can truly showcase how Ford vehicles, such as the Ranger, can complement the lifestyle and personalities of triathletes – built tough, capable, and versatile.

Earlier in the year, the team competed in races such as the Xterra Danao in April and the 5150 Subic Bay Philippines in June. The team also hosted Giro d’Luca, an annual cycling event held in Bohol that brings together cyclist enthusiasts. This year, almost 1,000 participants joined the event.

Catch the Ford Forza Triathlon Team at the following events: the Ironman 70.3 Philippines in Cebu on August 6, 2017 Mt. Mayon ASTC Triathlon Asian Cup in Bicol on August 17, and 5150 Triathlon in Bohol on November 5.