In the heart of Minglanilla, Cebu, four remarkable young boys are proving that passion, grit, and determination can overcome even the toughest challenges.
Their names are Richard Kyle (16), Nathaniel (18), Nino (17), and Kyle (14). Hailing from Barangay Tungkop and Abuno, these boys have formed a tight-knit team bonded by a shared love for cycling. Almost every day, they train together — pushing each other forward, not just in sport, but in life.
What makes their story extraordinary is that they come from families with very limited means. Yet, despite financial hardship, they keep going — powered not by privilege, but by pure heart.
Their days begin at 5:00 AM, long before most of their peers are awake. They ride up to 100 kilometers before heading to school. In the evenings, after their classes, they’re back on the road, tackling the mountains of Cebu for another 2 to 3 hours.
They never skip a day — fully committed to preparing for their ultimate goal: a 500-kilometer cycling challenge this November, which all four boys will attempt together as a symbol of discipline, endurance, and team spirit.
Ask them why they do it, and they all say the same thing: “Because it’s our passion.”
They idolize Belgian cycling stars Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert, and dream of one day racing on the international stage. They follow their heroes closely, admiring their strength, speed, and success.
But while Remco and Wout train on some of the finest cycling roads in Europe — smooth, wide, and designed for high-performance athletes — the Cebuano boys must face a very different reality. The roads they ride daily are often rough, narrow, and poorly maintained, riddled with potholes, busy with traffic, and lacking proper bike lanes or lighting.
Still, they train with the same determination — pushing hard in far tougher conditions, inspired by the greatness of their heroes, even if their starting line is very different.
It’s a tough environment, but they’ve grown strong because of it — and perhaps, in spite of it.
Their passion is already bearing fruit.
On July 5, Richard Kyle raced in Lapu-Lapu, completing 6 laps of 6 kilometers and finishing second out of around 30 riders of all ages. He also cycled 30 kilometers to the race and back, logging nearly 100 kilometers that day.
That same morning, Nathaniel finished fourth in the SM-RACE in Cebu, another competitive event.
Nino and Kyle also raced, and while they didn’t make the podium, their presence and performance reflected the same tireless dedication that defines this group.
Their daily journey is filled with challenge and character. When someone gets a flat tire, there are no spare tubes or repair kits. Instead, they improvise — one rider sitting behind another on the tiny saddle, carrying the broken bike all the way back home. It’s chaotic, a little funny, and very real.
They can’t afford to bring their bikes to a shop, so they’ve learned to repair them themselves. Whether it’s adjusting brakes or fixing chains, they work side by side — teaching and helping each other, using basic tools and recycled parts.
And behind every rider is a story of family.
When Richard Kyle began training at just 14 years old, his mother was deeply worried. She would often complain that he was never home, but more than that, she was afraid — afraid that something might happen to him on the road. She asked him repeatedly to stay home, but he was naughty and wouldn’t listen.
There were even moments when she grounded him, and tears flowed in frustration and fear.
Today, while she is still afraid, she has come to accept his passion and quietly supports the boy who never gave up.
What makes Richard Kyle’s story even more remarkable is his personal initiative. To sustain his cycling journey, he has started buying and reselling small bike parts. The profit he earns is saved and used when he needs spare parts or repairs for his own bike. It’s a clear sign of responsibility — a young athlete doing whatever it takes to support his dream.
Under the mentorship of Shane, his brother, who has taken it upon himself to guide and support the team, these four young riders are slowly carving a path not just through the roads of Cebu, but toward something bigger — a future fueled by discipline, courage, and heart. This time, Shane is willing to fully take responsibility and continue managing the team into the future, helping them organize, stay motivated, and take the next steps in their journey — whether in local races or in chasing international dreams.
And while they train hard and race with pride, they also dream of one day riding in matching team gear — a small but powerful symbol of unity. Sponsorship, no matter how modest, would be a meaningful support for these young athletes. It would be well spent on essential gear, race participation, and repairs, and most of all, it could help them inspire other young people in Cebu and beyond to chase their own dreams with the same passion and perseverance.
These boys also hope that one day this story reaches Wout van Aert and Remco Evenepoel — not to ask for help, but to say thank you. Because they may not even realize it, but their careers have touched young lives across the world — even on the broken roads of Cebu. And maybe, just maybe, it will make them smile to know that their strength has become someone else’s starting point.
This isn’t just a cycling story. It’s a human story — about resilience, sacrifice, brotherhood, and chasing a dream with nothing but a bike, a goal, and the will to ride, one kilometer at a time.
For more information or to support their journey, their manager Shane is available for contact.
