Ronda Pilipinas to hold race for cycling public

MANILA, Philippines – For the first time in six editions, the LBC Ronda Pilipinas presented by LBC Express is opening the doors not only to amateur and pro riders but also to the cycling public in general when it hits the road starting with the Mindanao Leg set February 20-27.

Aside from the typical road races, criteriums and individual time trails, Ronda will stage a community ride that will welcome all cycling enthusiasts from all walks of life with hopes of allowing them to experience how it is to race in the biggest race in the country.

"Ronda is giving everyone a chance to not just be discovered and represent the country in future international race but also to simply give them a chance to feel the Ronda experience by joining our community ride," said Ronda sports development head Moe Chulani.

Aside from introducing a new format and innovations, Ronda has also included a mountain bike race in each of every leg of Ronda's sixth edition presented by LBC and LBC Express and sponsored by Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation, Petron and Versa Radio-Tech 1 Corp. with Maynilad and NLEX as minor sponsors.

"LBC Sports Development Corp. feels everyone should have the chance to join Ronda Pilipinas 2016, which is the fourth biggest race in the world in terms of distance covered, not just the elite riders," said Chulani.

"That's why Ronda Pilipinas 2016 will be a bigger and better event where we will have everyone including the executives and amateurs joining us," he added.

Meanwhile, Ronda has teamed up with Aliw Broadcasting Corp., which owns DWIZ-AM and Home Radio 97.9 FM, as its official radio partner.

Ronda will officially start on February 20 with a road race from Butuan City on back, proceeds with a criterium on the same city the next day and in Cagayan de Oro on February 23, an ITT in Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich on February 25 before concluding with another criterium in Malaybalay on February 27.

The Visayas leg is composed of a Stage One criterium in Bago City, Negros Occidental on March 11, Stage Two criterium in Iloilo City on March 13, a Stage Three road race from Iloilo to Roxas City on March 15, a Stage Four criterium and Stage Five ITT both in Roxas on March 17.

Capping Ronda is the Luzon stages consisting of a Stage One criterium at the Paseo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna on April 3, a Stage Two ITT from Talisay to Tagaytay the next day, a Stage Three criterium in Antipolo City on April 6, a Stage Four road race from Dagupan to Baguio on April 8 and a Stage Five criterium in the City of Pines.

Interested participants may visit Ronda's official Facebook page and download and fill it out and send it to Cycling Pilipinas (LBC SPORTS DEVT. CORP.) c/o Ronda Pilipinas 2016 Secretariat located at Blk. 11 Lot 2 Bagong Calzada, Grenville Subdivision, Brgy. Ususan, Taguig City.