Four local teams lead the country’s campaign in the 10th edition of the International Cycling Union (UCI)-sanctioned Le Tour de Filipinas that will bring the riders from the cool hills of Tagaytay City, the majestic Mayon Volcano and the scenic mountains of Sorsogon next month.
The Category 2.2 race, organized by Ube Media Inc., will be a five-day bikefest from June 14 to 18.
Seventy-five riders from 15 teams are competing—with four local squads holding the fort against the strong crew of international cyclists.
Making the race more valuable for the Filipino riders is the opportunity to snare qualifying points for Olympic hopefuls.
Le Tour Chair Donna Lina said they prepared tough stages to exploit the strength of each participant.
“It’s the 10th year and like in the previous editions, the riders will face challenges the elements offer, thus squeezing out the best of the best in the sports spectacle on two wheels,” Lina told the press conference on Tuesday at a Pasay City hotel.
Stage One kicks off in Tagaytay City with a 129.5-km out-and-back course. Participants will then travel to Lucena City where they will spend the night before negotiating the 194.9-km Pagbilao to Daet, Camarines Norte, Stage Two.
Stage Three will offer a 183.7-km course from Daet to Legazpi City, while Stage Four covers a 176-km race from Legazpi via Sorsogon and Gubat and back to the Albay capital.
The last stage will again see the riders racing on an out-and-back course in Legazpi City via Donsol, Sorsogon, covering 145.8 kms.
The total distance covered is 822.20 kms.
El Joshua Cariño of the Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance—which will race under the national team colors—will defend his title against a strong field composed of seasoned veterans.
7-Eleven Cliqq Air21 Roadbike Philippines, Go for Gold and Bike X Philippines are the other Philippine teams.
Among those who joined Lina in the press conference were National Team coach Ronald Gorrantes, Go For Gold team owner Jeremy Go and coach Ednalyn Hualda and 7-Eleven team manager Rick Rodriguez as well as PhiCycling Chairman Bert Lina, Secretary General Atty. Billy Sumagui and commissaries Jun Lomibao and Carlos Gredonia and Cignal TV’s One Sports Marketing Head Rafi Silerio.
To celebrate a decade of racing, organizer Ube Media Inc. got the UCI’s nod to extend the race from four to five stages.
“The Le Tour de Filipinas continues its advocacy in promoting international peace, goodwill, health, tourism and environment,” Le Tour de Filipinas chair Donna Lina said. “And to emphasize this advocacy, the race has been elevated to five stages.”
The riders, again representing more than a dozen nationalities, will cover a total distance of 822.20 kms.
“It’s the 10th year and like in the previous editions, the riders will face challenges the elements offer, thus, squeezing out the best of the best in this sports spectacle on two wheels,” Lina said.
Lina, in further stressing the Le Tour de Filipinas’s decade-long successful run—thank the race’s stakeholders for helping keep the Philippines in its rightful niche in the world cycling map.
“From the various government agencies and departments to the local government units—the police and army and barangay tanods who help ensure the safety of the race—to everyone in the race organization—race officials and secretariat and organizers—the success of the Le Tour de Filipinas is your success,” Lina stressed.