Cycling legends join National Open

MANILA, Philippines - Cycling’s former champions will make a comeback in the Masters Division of the National Open Cycling Championships slated Dec. 6 to 13, with the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines as its lead agency.

ICFP president Philip Ella Juico said that it is but proper to set a separate competition for the former champions not only as a form of tribute to their contributions to Philippine sports, but also to inspire the country’s up-and-coming bikers.    

“If there are folks who can inspire our young cyclists to do good, then they have got to be our cycling champions and Tour of Luzon legends, who blazed the trail for other generations to follow,” said Juico, a former chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission and also ex-secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform under the late President Corazon Aquino.

The legends will be led by Cesar Filosopo, an Asian Cycling Championships gold medalist in 1971 and silver medalist of the National Open, former Tour of Luzon back-to-back champion Jess Garcia and Tour of PICA king Lupo Alva.    

Other former champions joining the Masters event of the National Open are Asian gamers and olympians Ben Evangelista, Rolando Guaves and Roberto Roxas and Asiad bronze medalist Roberto Quirimit, together with Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Joselito Santos (three-time) and Rufo Dacumos, and SEAG and Europe tour veteran Freddie Untalan.

Former Tour of Luzon champions Paquito Rivas and Rolando Pagnanawon, together with Cornelio Baylon (most lap won) and tour veterans Regie de Guzman, Jose “Kamikaze Joe” delos Santos, Bonifacio Oclarinoand Jerry Aquino, are also joining the National Open.

“The cycling greats are saying this will be their chance to relive their glory days even for just a fleeting moment,” added Juico, also the president of the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.

The Masters Division will be a 10-lap Mass Start Race highlighting the National Open, which was last held in 1985 in Cagayan de Oro, with then cycling president Gov. Francisco Almeda at the helm.    

The Amoranto Velodrome in Quezon City will be the venue for the track competitions, while the road races will be held from Tanay, Rizal all the way to the same velodrome. Montalban, Rizal will host the MTB Event.