10-team Tour hits road April

MANILA, Philippines - The much-awaited Tour of Luzon, a seven-day summer cycling event, officially kicks off on April 13 at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.

Organized by Liquigaz and Liquified Petroleum Gas Marketers Association, the multi-stage bikathon will feature 10 teams where 90 of the country’s elite riders vie for fame and glory apart from the cash prizes at stake.

LPGMA president Arnel Ty said the teams would be skippered by former champions and perennial contenders, with past Tour winners Arnel Quirimit, Warren Davadilla, Santy Barnachea and Rhyan Tanguilig seeking to add another triumphant entry into the Tour record books.

Tanguilig, who took a leave after capturing the Tour Pilipinas crown in 2004, has come back to hold the fort for Team Liquigaz while Quirimit, the 2003 champion, and two-time winner Davadilla were tapped to lead the way for Happy Nuts and Regasco Group, respectively.

Other seasoned riders tasked to carry the leadership baton for their teams are Barnachea of First Republic Farm, Lloyd Reynante of DPT Law, Merculio Ramos of My Photo, Dante Cagas (Road Bike Philippines), Baler Ravina (Team Tagaytay), Sherwin Carrera (Mobile Wonder/Magic Prints) and Lito Atilano (American Vinyl).

Race Manager Paquito Rivas, who heads the Professional Cycling Association of the Philippine which will run the technical side of the cycling spectacle, said a final briefing with the 90 riders would be held on Thursday at 10 p.m. at the Amoranto Velodrome in Quezon City.

Other sponsors include Victory Lines and Tour of Luzon Bike and Café, a haven for cyclists at the Asiana Powerstation on Macapagal Highway being managed by two-time Tour champion Renato Dolosa. It is also the official bike supplier of the event.

Aside from the total cash pot of P2 million for team and individual winners, Ty said the top 12 riders would automatically earn slots to the national team under the leadership of Tagaytay City Mayor Bambol Tolentino, president of PhilCycling, the federation recognized by the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale).