DAGUPAN CITY – Former Tour champion Romeo Bonzo died today after a speeding van sideswiped his motorcycle in Sual, Pangasinan.
PO1 Joel Ramirez, intelligence and warrant officer of the Sual police station, said Bonzo, 48, was riding on his motorcycle when he stopped to talk to somebody in a van parked by the roadside.
It was then, police said, that a speeding van attempted to overtake the two vehicles. But because a truck was on the opposite lane, the van driver, identified as Moises Moyano of Barangay Bolosan, this city, swerved to the right, hitting Bonzo.
Bonzo sustained head injuries. He died on arrival at the Trauma Center here.
Moyano immediately surrendered to the police.
Former Tour champion Jess Garcia said he was stunned upon hearing Bonzo’s death.
Garcia said he was with Bonzo last Sunday during the staging of the Domalandan Cycling Classic in Lingayen, which Garcia organized and where Bonzo served as lead marshal.
“He is a big loss to Pangasinan cycling. He has been helping me in all my races in the province,” Garcia said.
Aside from assisting in the race, Garcia said Bonzo was also in Lingayen to support his only son, Mark Julius, who placed 10th during the race. Mark Julius is also a member of the Philippine National Youth Team.
Bonzo, an Army sergeant then, was shot to fame in 1983 when, as a rookie, he won that year’s Marlboro Tour. He was also declared 1983 Rookie of the Year.
In 1985, he quit the Marlboro Tour despite wearing the yellow jersey after he was penalized by tour officials for slapping his teammate in the nape.
His older brother, Modesto, was also 1976 Tour of Luzon champion.
Bonzo retired from the Army five years ago and joined the municipal government of Sual as Bantay Dagat volunteer.
He is survived by his wife, Clarita, and his five children.