SEVENTY-FIVE riders set out on the road beginning Thursday, Feb. 18 for the Le Tour de Filipinas, the only International Cycling Union (UCI) race in the country which is running on its seventh edition this year.
The cyclists, representing 12 foreign teams and three local squads including the National Team of the PhilCycling, will race for four stages in the annual bikathon presented by Air21 from Antipolo City to Lucena City and Daet in Camarines Norte, and finally in Legaspi City, covering much of Southern Luzon and the Bicol Region.
There are relatively no difficult climbs this time but the total distance alone of 704.34 kilometers imposingly stares down at the riders, led by Frenchman Thomas Leibas who will be wearing race No. 001 as the defending champion from the Japan-based Bridgestone Anchor Cycling Team.
“With an average stage distance of 175 kms, this seventh edition of the Le Tour de Filipinas will showcase a lot of sprinting and will definitely bring out the best endurance riders in the field,” Donna Lina, president of race organizer Ube Media Inc., said.