Cebu Cycling Challenge on today

CEBU, Philippines - Participants to deal with a grueling 439.5-kilometer race spread in five days

After the Ironman Cobra 70.3 Philippines, Cebuanos are set to witness another action-packed event not only for a day, but for five days with the staging of the 2012 Cebu Challenge Cycling Classic beginning at 8:00 this morning with the prologue at the South Road Properties.

The pedal-pushers taking part in this grueling race will have to deal with a total of 439.5 kilometers spread in different stages.

The prologue or the kick-off event covers a total of 4.2 kilometers individual time trial where one will have to rely on his own strength and without the aid of the teammates.

A total of eight teams have confirmed their participation, but the organizers are still expecting additional entries as the battle begins.

The visiting squads are Pangasinan led by Arnel Quirimit, Cycle Line Extreme Tem-Butuan skippered by March Mcquinn Aleonar, Philippine Airforce led by Gonzalo Espiritu and LBC A and B.

Cebu will have two bets in Dan’s Bike Shop skippered by Nino Surban and the Cebu Province led by Albert Basirgo.

After the prologue, cyclists will negotiate a total of 101.7 kilometers under stage 1 from the City proper to Bogo.

Stage 2 will be on Friday from Bogo to Toledo covering 86.9 kms, while stage 3 on Saturday starts from Toledo until Argao comprising a total 186.7 kms.

The week-long joust ends with a 60-kilometer criterium circuit race at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC). (FREEMAN)