Tour of Luzon ’26: Grander, richer

MANILA, Philippines — The dream of a Filipino racing in the Tour de France lives on.

“The reason cycling is one of the most popular sporting events in the country is because it reaches the poorest,” said Manny V. Pangilinan, who chairs the MVP Group of Companies during yesterday’s MPTC Tour of Luzon 26: Heritage in Motion launch at the Meralco main office in Pasig.

“I think it’s an excellent sport and my goal and dream is to have a Filipino biker compete in the Tour de France,” he added.

That someone could come from this batch of participants seeing action in the second edition of the fabled race’s revival, a 14-stage event slated April 28 to May 13 that will kick off in Calatagan, Batangas and conclude in Baguio.

Around 20 teams or 150 cyclists are expected to participate in the event that stakes a total cash pot of more than P12 million, P2 million of which goes to the overall team champion and P1 million to the individual winner.

This year’s edition is bigger than the last one – an eight-stage race.

This one will cover a total distance of 1,900 kilometers, traversing 60 cities and municipalities from 13 provinces with stops in Calatagan, Tagaytay, Palayan City in Nueva Ecija, Bayombong in Tuguegarao, Pagudpud, Paoay and Laoag in Ilocos Norte, Candon, Ilocos Sur, San Juan in La Union, Lingayen in Pangasinan before the final stop in the mountaintop in Baguio.

“We approach kilometer zero with renewed resolve,” said Arrey Perez, chief executive officer of the organizing TOL 2026.

For Patrick Gregorio, who founded the Tour of Luzon’s revival before becoming the Philippine Sports Commission chairman late last year, it’s mortal sin not to stage a reprise.

“It’s not just a comeback story, it’s nation building on two wheels, and that’s very important,” said Gregorio.