Tonido wins Liquigaz LPGMA tour qualifier

MANILA, Philippines - Tots Tonido emerged victorious in the 155-km qualifying race for the 2010 Liquigaz-LPGMA Tour of Luzon Sunday, besting a field that included veterans Marc Guevarra, Joel Calderon, Victor Espiritu and Lloyd Lucien Reynante.

“This goes to show that Philippine cycling is at its peak whatever season we are in,” said Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, president of the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines, or PhilCycling, which is recognized by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).

The PhilCycling sanctions both the Liquigaz-LPGMA and Padyak Pinoy tours. Tolentino has endorsed Padyak Pinoy’s application for inclusion on the 2010 Asian Tour calendar with the UCI.

The event, serving as the second leg of three qualifying races, attracked 35 riders.

“The turnout stresses the PhilCycling’s commitment to the national cycling development,” said Tolentino, who awarded the prizes to the winners at the Tagaytay International Convention Center (TICC).

The one-day race, managed by the Philippine National Cycling Association headed by former Eagle of the Mountain Paquito Rivas, started and ended at the TICC.

The riders braved midmorning rains and fog that settled at the TICC early in the afternoon. The out-and-back course (two rounds) took the riders to Tuy, Balayan and Lian (near Nasugbu boundary) towns in Batangas and back to the TICC.