Rich P5 million Tour of Camsur fires off

MANILA, Philippines - The men of summer, including a number of foreign riders, hit the road on Saturday in pursuit of what could be the richest purse ever staked in local cycling as the Tour of Camsur 2011, offering a whopping total prize fund of P5 million, fires off at SM Mall of Asia.

The event, a brainchild of Camsur Gov. Lray Villafuerte, will test the riders to a gruelling 1,000-kilometer, point-to-point race through Southern Luzon’s world-renowned trails and coastline ending at the Camsur Watersports Complex on May 29.

According to Villafuerte, this year’s edition not only offers the richest purse in cycling today but also affords both local and international participants a stunning view of Southern Luzon’s tourist hotspots.

For the first time in the event’s 13-year history, cyclists will traverse from the starting point in Manila the Southern Luzon regions of Lipa, Batangas, Lucena, Calauag, Daet, Sipocot, Naga, Pili, Iriga, Ligao, and Tabaco before finally reaching the finish line at CWC.

To make this possible, the organizers have partnered with the concerned provincial officials, led by Governors Vilma Santos of Batangas, Jayjay Suarez of Quezon, and Egay Tallado of Camarines Norte.

For more information, log on to www.philippinecyclingnews.com and www.camsur.com.

The Tour of Camsur is presented by the provincial government of Camarines Sur and backed by the provincial government of Batangas, Quezon, SM Mall of Asia, SM City Lipa, SM City Batangas, SM City Lucena, SM City Naga; major sponsors Garmin, Gerry’s Grill, Toyota, Vista Land, Schick; minor sponsors Energizer, Banana Boat, and event partners PhilCycling and Philippine National Red Cross.

This also marks the first time that the race will be open to international professional cycling teams. The bikefest will likewise feature a special division for age-group amateur teams, which will cover selected sections totaling 500 kilometers in 5 key road stages, including a ride around scenic Mayon Volcano.