Bigger, better BGC Cycle Phl seen

MANILA, Philippines - The inaugural BGC Cycle Philippines held over the weekend at the Bonifacio Global City showcased how receptive Filipinos are to cycling and healthy lifestyle, which augurs well for the staging of bigger and better events in the future.

A total of 2,300 cyclists of different ages and abilities got on their bikes for the three-day festival put up by title sponsor BGC and organized by Sunrise Events, Inc., pedaling for fun and thrill in safe, partially closed routes around BGC.

The riders had a blast testing their skills in The Tricycle Ride, The Kids Ride, the Junior Challenge, the Community Ride, The Foldies Community Ride, and The 40-K Challenge capped by the “Ride with Australian cycling star Robbie McEwen.”

BGC Cycle Philippines is the latest addition to the calendar of Cycle Asia, the network of premier cycling events that offers riders the rare opportunity to ride in major Asian cities. The Philippines is only the third country to stage a successful Cycle Asia event, following the lead of Malaysia and Singapore.

Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, chairman and president of SEI, and Chris Robb, managing director of Spectrum Worldwide, are pleased with the reception for the first BGC Cycle Philippines and look forward to more successful stagings in the future.

“We’re pleased we had a good participation in the first year and we had somebody of the stature of Robbie McEwen joining us,” said Uytengsu.

McEwen, three-time winner of the green jersey in the Tour de France, rode with some 1,000 local riders in a 40-K ride from BGC to Luneta and back. He took the opportunity of his Phl visit to also do his share in aid to victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda, donating the Tour de France green jersey he won in 2002 for a worldwide online auction.

BGC Cycle Philippines, according to Uytengsu, aimed to “promote cycling in the Philippines as a mode of transportation and encourage Filipinos to ride and adopt a healthy lifestyle.”