No sanction for bikathon

QUEZON CITY– The ongoing Calabarzon Tour is not sanctioned by the Philippine Amateur Cycling Association, according to its secretary general, Armando Bautista.

He said that PACA is the federation recognized by both the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale to hold amateur bicycle races in the Philippines.

"We want to protect the interest of the Calabarzon sponsor and all other sponsors now and in future races," Bautista said even as he reacted to the statements made by Calabarzon Tour consultant lawyer Cornelio Padilla.

It could be recalled that Padilla declared during a meeting with PACA officials at the Amoranto Sports Complex that the FedEx Tour would go on even without sanction from PACA and" it is better for PACA not to give sanction and for FedEx not to ask for one."

Reacting to questions why 10 cyclists under its supervision were allowed to race despite threat of a reprimand, Bautista said they were allegedly encouraged to join by PSC chair Eric Buhain.