DEFENDING champion Marc Galedo of Team 7- Eleven Roadbike Philippines expects tough opposition from Iranian riders in the battle for the overall championship trophy when the Le Tour de Filipinas hits the road on Feb. 1 to 4 in Balanga, Bataan.
With only four stages and most of them on straight, well-paved roads, Galedo said this year’s Tour should be faster and the strategy begins right in the first stage, which is a 126-km race around the province of Bataan.
Jerry Agnes, President of Air21; Donna Lina-Flavier, president of the
Le Tour Communication Committee; Paquito Rivas, Tour Director;
Mark Galedo, 2014 Tour champion; Bambol Tolentino, PhilCycling
President; Alberto Lina, Chairman PhilCycling; Rodolfo de Mesa,
City Administrator of Balanga and Atty. Jose Adolfo Cruz UCI
International Commissaire. LINO SANTOS
The second stage is a 154.7-km race from Balanga to Iba, Zambales, then to Lingayen covering 150 kms. The final stage 4 (104 kms) is from Lingayen to Baguio via Kennon Road.
“Mas mabilis ngayon, kaya dapat sa una pa lang, paspasan na,” said Galedo yesterday during the press conference at the Manila Hotel. “May plano na kami na suportahan talaga ako ng teammates ko (to defend the individual crown), lalo na against sa mga Iranians na silang malalakas dito.”
Leading the Iranian assault are 2011 champion Rahim Emami of Pishgaman Yzad Pro Cyclcing Team and 2013 winner Ghader Miszbani.
This year’s Air 21-backed Tour will host 13 foreign teams, including newcomers RTS Santic Racing Team of Taiwan, Attaque Team Gusto, Thailand’s Singha Infinite Team, Kazakhstan National Team and Team Novo Nordisk of the US, the first professional cycling team composed of cyclists with Type 1 Diabetes.
Aside from 7-Eleven, the other local teams entered in this UCI-sanctioned event that celebrates its 60th year, is Team Pilipinas.
“Aside from the providing a high-level competition for our elite Filipino riders, the Le Tour will showcase the beauty of Philippines (in the northeast) as well as the celebration of the world-renowned Flower Festival in Baguio,” said Donna Lina-Flavier, president of the organizing Ube Media, who was accompanied by her father and long-time cycling godfather, Alberto Lina.
“Bata pa lang ako, fan na ako ng Tour (then known as Tour of Luzon). I am happy to play an important part, up to this time na siya na siyang international event. This is our commitment to the UCI and I just hope and pray that this year’s Tour will go smoothly,” said Lina, who is also chairman of major sponsor, Air 21.
Aside from cash prizes and trophies, winning riders will also earn UCI points in this event co-presented by the MVP Foundation, Meralco, Smart and supported by NLEX, Victory Liner, Isuzu, MAN, San Mig Zero, PLDT Alpha, Trilink, ViKing, Fern-C, 188 Import-Export, Advanced Solutions, Manila Hotel, Prudential Guarantee, UFL, Cargohaus, 2100 Customs Brokers, One Pharma, Karihome and Zalora.