By Jean Malanum
MANILA – The fabled Tour of Luzon will return next month with 15 to 20 teams competing for the PHP1 million top purse.
The revival of the iconic multistage cycling event presented by Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) and DuckWorld PH kicks off April 24 in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, and end at the Camp John Hay in Baguio City.
“The Tour of Luzon is not just a race; it is a symbol of grandness and nobility. Its greatness lies in its vision — a vision that dared to conquer the impossible through sheer force of will, discipline, and determination,’’ MPTC chairperson and chief executive officer Manny V. Pangilinan said in a statement.
“It has been my lifelong dream to see the first Filipino cyclist compete in the Tour de France. Reviving the Tour of Luzon is a vital step toward achieving that dream. It is about breaking barriers, one impossible challenge at a time,’’ he added.
Aside from PHP1 million, the champion team will have a year’s possession of the Tour of Luzon Perpetual Trophy, while the general classification or individual overall champion will earn PHP500,000.
Details of the competition were discussed during a press conference Friday at the Meralco Lighthouse in Pasig City with Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino, Philippine Sports Commission Chair Richard Bachmann, DuckWorld PH chair Patrick Gregorio, MPTC chief regulatory officer Arrey Perez and race director Lorenzo Lomibao Jr.
“Today, the Great Revival of the Tour of Luzon realizes a great dream for Philippine cycling. It is a privilege to work with the MVP Group and PhilCycling to rebuild this legacy. We cannot ask for better partners who truly appreciate the value and potential of this sport,’’ Gregorio said.
Stage 1 is an out-and-back ride for 170 kilometers along the coastline of Ilocos Norte from Laoag to Pagudpud and the Patapat Viaduct before returning to the province’s capital on the same route.
“The Tour of Luzon will always be a monument in Philippine sports history, thus the strong desire for us to revive the passion and the tradition of summer,” Perez said.
Prior to the first stage, the opening ceremony will showcase the riders in a team presentation on April 23 with UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) Continental Teams 7Eleven Roadbike Philippines, Standard Insurance Philippines, Victoria Cycling Team, and Go For Gold Cycling Team leading the pack.
“On behalf of the entire cycling community, we would like to express our gratitude to the MVP Group and DuckWorld for reviving the Tour of Luzon. This historic race will help us discover more talents for the national team,’’ Tolentino, the PhilCycling president, said.
Local teams Excellent Noodles, D’ Reyna and Dandex Multi-Sports are joining, as well as squads from the local government units of Iloilo, Nueva Viscaya, Davao, Cebu and Tagaytay City-Tom N’ Toms Toms National Under-23.
These teams, featuring homegrown talents, will figure in the Team Time Trial (TTT) in Stage 2 covering 80 km from Laoag to Vigan in Ilocos Sur on April 25.
From Vigan, the riders will race on a relatively flat course to Agoo, La Union (170 km) in Stage 3 before they ride to Clark in Pampanga via the SCTEX in Stage 4.
The Singapore National Team, ASC Monsters Indonesia, Vietnam National Team and three club teams from Thailand will lead the foreign challenge in the event supported by the Philippine National Police, DPWH, Games and Amusements Board, and the participating LGUs.
The race is also sanctioned by PhilCycling, cycling’s local governing body in the country recognized by the UCI.
“We have 15 teams who have expressed interest. After the launch, negotiations will begin with the local teams as well as the overseas teams that asked to be invited,’’ Lomibao said.
Stage 5 takes the Tour entourage to Clark New City in Tarlac and will return to Clark after riding 120 km on April 28 prior to Stage 6 on April 29 from Clark to Lingayen, Pangasinan (150 km).
The penultimate seventh stage is an individual team trial covering 30 km in and around the seaside municipality of Lingayen.
The final stage will cover 180 km, including a grueling trek on Kennon Road going to Camp John Hay in Baguio City.
The Tour of Luzon is one of Asia’s oldest and most challenging cycling races since its inception in 1955, which pedaled annually until 1998.
It was revived in 2002 after a four-year hiatus and continued as Le Tour de Filipinas prior to the pandemic in 2020 when it was shelved anew. (PNA)
