Riders from six categories using different types of bikes leisurely rode with cycling buff celebrities Piolo Pascual and Matteo Guidicelli and former three-time Tour de France green jersey winner Robbie McEwen in yesterday’s Sun Life Cycle PH from Bonifacio Global City and back watched by weekend promenaders and early morning joggers.
Six hundred 29 riders, including 10 from Team Go for Gold and some Armymen, from out of the total 1,143 participants rode side-by-side with McEwen, Pascual and Guidicelli in the centerpiece 40km category from BGC to Kalayaan Flyover toward Buendia Ave. then back.
Four hundred nine riders took part in the 20km, 64 participated in the 30 minutes solo run (6-15 years old), 18 in 100m (2-3 years old), 14 in the 500m (4-5 years old), and 13 in family-run in a weekend of fun, wellness activity and family bonding through cycling. All finishers received medals, t-shirts and loot bags.
“It’s nice and I enjoyed riding with them. It’s worth remembering. The big turnout showed people from all walks of life partaking actively in cycling,” said Pascual of the event which also served as part of the SunPiology, a three-part sporting event put up by Sun Life Philippines.
Mylene Lopa, Sun Life Marketing head, was elated when she saw riders and young kids boys and girls along with their parents taking part in the non-competitive, fun-filled event also held to promote a healthy lifestyle.
“It’s a joyful ride. They all enjoyed it,” said Lopa. “Sun Life aims to offer Filipinos an avenue to pursue their health goals. Cycling is the most effective tool to attain healthy lifestyle.”
Princess Galura, general manager of the organizing Sunrise Events, Inc., now part of the IRONMAN Group, said the race once again underscored the Filipinos’ love for the sport even as she praised McEwen for his unwavering support to the annual event.
“Since we started our cycling event in 2013, McEwen has always found time to join us and be part of our event. There must be something about our country and the Filipino bikers,” said Galura, who also cited Fred Uytengsu, the prime mover of the event, who however had failed to join this year to honor a previous business commitment in the US.