Padyak may go international in 2010

MANILA, Philippines - The annual Padyak Pinoy multi-stage cycling competition may just find itself elevated to the status of an international tour if the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) favorably acts on the Padyak Pinoy Organizing Committee’s application for inclusion on the Asia Pro Tour calendar for 2010.

Backed by the continuing support of major sponsors Tanduay, Manny V. Pangilinan of Smart-PLDT and Bert Lina of Air 2100, a request for enrollment with the UCI was sent in June, just weeks after the successful staging of the Padyak Pinoy International Challenge last May.

“Results emerging from the [2009 Padyak Pinoy] Invitational Challenge seem to indicate that our riders are now ready to meet their foreign counterparts on Philippine soil. With their showing, we have gained enough confidence to host a UCI-backed cycling event,” said Gary Cayton, chairman of the Padyak Pinoy Organizing Committee.

“It is time to once again place the Philippines in the world cycling map, considering also the growing number of cycling enthusiasts and lately, the increasingly active role of private companies to promote the sport,” he added.

The UCI, through Sophie Parvex, assistant chief of the world governing body’s road department, acknowledged receipt of Padyak Pinoy organizer Dynamic Outsource Solutions, Inc.’s application for registration of its 2010 race.

The application was endorsed by Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham Tolentino, president of the PhilCycling recognized by the UCI.

The proposed four-day international race will start on April 8, 2010, and is composed of four stages, namely , the 155-km Tagaytay-Tagaytay Stage 1, the 125-km The Fort to Clark Field (via NLEX) Stage 2, the 150 km Clark-Subic-Clark (via SCTEX) Stage 3 and the 160 km Subic-Subic Stage 4.

The Philippines was on the UCI calendar from 1996 to 1998 when the multi-stage cycling marathon was then called the Marlboro Tour. But because of global restrictions on tobacco advertising, the Marlboro Tour was shelved until the event was revived in 2002 by Airfreight 2100 chairman Bert Lina, who eventually served as PhilCycling president for a full term.

Under UCI regulations, the Padyak Pinoy 2010 international edition should include at least five international teams.

The Padyak Pinoy Tour ng Pilipinas in 2010 is being finalized in coordination with private companies, cycling associations, local government leaders and selected government agencies for sponsorships.