MANILA, Philippines - The country’s established and upcoming riders will have the chance to show their wares in the P7 million LBC Ronda Pilipinas, the richest cycling event in over a decade, as the organizers made room for 15 teams and 90 riders culled from the regional qualifying races
Moe Chulani, LBC sports marketing consultant, said the final number of competing teams would be based on the results of the qualifying races. Initially there will be nine teams from Luzon and two each from the Visayas and Mindanao.
Luzon elimination races will be held May 6-8 in Tarlac City to determine the team compositions of Pangasinan 1 (West and Central), Pangasinan 2 ( (East), Nueva Ecija (May 6), Central Luzon, Ilocandia Cagayan Valley (May 7), National Capital Region, Southern Tagalog and Bicolandia (May 8).
The Visayas qualifying race is scheduled May 12 in Silay City, Negros Occidental while Mindanao will hold its qualifying round May 15 in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.
The event offers P1 million to the individual champion and another P1 million to the team champion in the 20-day, 12-stage tour slated September to October on a route that will cover key cities in Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon.
Interested riders may secure applications forms from any LBC branch nationwide and Rudy Project Stores or download them at www.rondapilipinas.com. There are no entry fees.
Applicants must properly fill out the forms and send them, along with clear photocopies of identification documents (ID) and signed waiver via LBC or personally submit them to LBC Express Solutions, Inc. LBC Ronda Pilipinas Secretariat, 2308, Natividad Bldg., Don Chino Roces Extension (Pasong Tamo), Makati.
For details and more information about the qualifying race, log on to www.facebook.com/rondapilipinas or email secretariat@rondapilipinas.com or mobile. no. 09198967554.