Top cross country rider Shagne Yaoyao and four other Filipino bets hope to bolster their Olympic bid when they compete in the UCI Thailand MTB Cup in Kanchanaburi which started Tuesday, Jan. 16.

The Filipina cyclists will test their mettle against the world's best as they gun for precious UCI points and rise in the Asian leaderboard which will serve as a basis for qualification in the Paris Games.

The 26-year-old Yaoyao is vying in the women’s elite race category alongside Nicole Quinones, Diannah Costes, Urika Iwayan, and Jwyn Muyco. The riders seek to earn points and help the country land among the top 3 nations in Asia. The Paris qualification ends in April.

The Filipina contenders will face national teams and clubs from host Thailand, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, New Zealand, Israel, Great Britain, Germany, Indonesia and Chinese Taipei.

Meanwhile, Go for Gold, composed of seven riders, aims to shine in the men’s elite category. 

John Andre Aguja spearheads the team along with James Carl Dela Cruz, Gart Gaerlan, Adrian Nacario, Mark Louwell Valdermma, Justine Anastacio and Dave Roa.