'Tour Ni Frank' goes hi-tech

CEBU, Philippines - For the first time in the annals of Cebu cycling, an event goes hi-tech by using a transponder to time the performance of the racers when the Recycle-Luzvimin-USA Cebu Cycling Series-Tour Ni Frank unfolds today at the Mandaue City reclamation area.

Over a hundred pedal-pushers from all over the country are expected to see action in the two-day contest conceptualized by a Cebuano balikbayan Frank Gatdula eight years ago with the support of RECYCLE, one of the most respected cycling groups here.

For the past seven stagings, the annual race just used a manual timing device until this year when Ernie Hortaleza of Team HBC offered to lend their transponder.

A transponder, which is a short term for transmitter-responder, is an automatic timing device just like what was used during the Cebu City Marathon.

This type of technology has already been used in some underbone and karting events but never in a cycling affair.

Even with such timing device, RECYCLE still has back up staff to record the winners of the race.

The first day of ‘Tour Ni Frank’ is a criterium while the final day is a road race mainly at the transcentral highway. – Caecent No-ot Magsumbol   (FREEMAN NEWS)