Top cyclists see action in Tour of Pangasinan

The cream of the local cycling crop hits the road today and tomorrow in the Tour of Pangasinan, a two-stage race that slices through the province known as the cradle of Philippine cycling.

Riders from Tour Pilipinas 2003 champion Intel, Bowling Gold Road Raiders, PagcorSports, Tanduay Rhum Riders, PLDT, Samsung, Gilbey’s Island Punch, DILG Patrol 117, DILG Drug Busters, BIR VAT Riders, DOTC Postmen and DENR Ecosavers are vying in the event presented by Air21 and principally backed by FedEx and Mail and More.

The first stage today of the event that has Lipovitan as the official energy drink, Caltex as the official gasoline for the race’s backup vehicles and BPI-MS as the official insurer was a 78-km team time trial race (TTT) from Alaminos to Bolinao and back to Alaminos.

The second stage is a 178-km massed start race from Alaminos to Mangatarem through 22 cities and municipalities of the province.

Top prize in the TTT is P35,000 while the individual champion brings home P20,000.

A first ever ceremony honoring 16 Tour champions from Pangasinan will be held today at the Mangatarem finish. Air21 president and Tour Pilipinas organizer Lito Alvarez will represent Bert Lina, Air21 chairman and president of the national cycling federation, in presenting plaques to the Pangasinan cycling heroes.

Up-and-coming 18-under riders will also show their wares Sunday in the accompanying juniors race, a 50-km massed start competition from Alaminos straight to Mangatarem. The juniors race is part of the Tour Pilipinas commitment to provide a continuous source of young potentials not only for the Tour but also for the entire Philippine cycling.

The Philippine National Cycling Association headed by Paquito Rivas and Art Cayabyab are managing the race. Organizers of the Pangasinan event are former Tour champion Jesus Garcia Jr. and sports columnist Al Mendoza.

The Tour of Pangasinan formally opens the Tour Pilipinas 2003 season. Also in the calendar are races In Metro Manila, Tagaytay and a first ever in Puerto Princesa hosted by Mayor Edward Hagedorn next month.

The events are preludes to the 2004 Tour which will be pulled back earlier than usual in March to give way to the general elections.