2012 LBC Ronda Pilipinas qualifying race this weekend

MANILA, Philippines - Over 200 cyclists from all over the country bid for 36 slots in the 96-man roster of the 2012 LBC Ronda Pilipinas in the two-day national elimination race set this weekend in Tarlac.

The sponsoring LBC Express, Inc., the country’s leading courier firm, said 60 riders from last year’s inaugural race – the top 30 in the individual category and the top three members of the top 10 teams in team competition – have already pre-qualified for the 20-day, 15-stage event set May 20-June 10 on a 2,000km route starting in Sarangani and ending in the metropolis.

The first elimination race will be held Saturday in Tarlac City.An expected 200 to 400 riders from all over the country will race from Tarlac City, through the towns and cities of West Tarlac and back to Tarlac City.

Only the top riders within 10 percent of the first placer’s time shall enter the second round, said LBC Ronda Pilipinas administrative director Jack Yabut.

Those who qualify from the Saturday race will compete in Sunday’s final elimination race, an individual time trial which starts at the Tarlac Recreational Park in San Jose, Tarlac, goes around West Tarlac, then back to San Jose.

Racers will be flagged off at one-minute interval.

The top 36 cyclists with the least accumulated time for the two rounds will qualify for Ronda Pilipinas 2012.

“We are looking to fill up the remaining 36 slots for Ronda Pilipinas 2012 through the two-day qualifying rounds,” said Yabut.

The 2012 LBC Ronda Pilipinas, the country’s biggest cycling race, offers a total cash pot of over P7.5 million, up from P7 million last year, with P1 million going to the individual over-all winner and the same amount to the over-all team champion.

For more details, visit www.rondapilipinas.com or follow us on Facebook at and twitter www.twitter/rondapilipinas.