By Jean Malanum
MANILA – China bagged five gold medals in the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) Track Championships at the International Cycling Union (UCI) certified Tagaytay CT Velodrome in Cavite.
“We are now officially a UCI track destination. With a Category A homologation, we can now host world cups and even the world championships,” said PhilCycling president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino on Thursday.
The homologation certificate, which was signed by UCI Track and Indoor Cycling Manager Jessika Grand Bois, came a day before Wednesday’s opening ceremony.
Meanwhile, China triumphed in the men’s and women’s elite team sprint, men’s and women’s team pursuit as well as the men’s junior team pursuit.
Chinese-Taipei dominated the men’s junior team sprint, Korea topped the women’s junior team sprint and Kazakhstan ruled the women’s junior team pursuit.
Team Philippines, on the other hand, went through its baptism of fire right at home, a performance that’s expected of the inexperienced team competing in a world-class competition.
“The disappointments are expected, but the good thing about the team is that the riders bettered themselves from training,” said PhilCycling track coach Virgilio Espiritu.
Those who saw action in the junior team sprint races were Prince Andrei Pedragosa, Asher Job Albo and Kaizel Jizmundo (men) and Marlen Marasigan, Althea Mae Campana and Angeline Elvira (women).
Matt Andrei Gonzalo, Archie Cardana and Marcus Gabriel Ricalde raced in the men’s elite team sprint. A total of 600 athletes from 16 nations are competing in the tournament which the Philippines is hosting for the first time in 31 years. (PNA)
