THE Asian Track Cycling Championships is being hosted by the Philippines for the first time in 31 years as the competition rolls along on Wednesday.
The competition is on its 45th edition at the brand-new Tagaytay CT Velodrome, with the last time the country hosting it taking place at the old Amoranto Velodrome with Norberto Oconer claiming a bronze medal in the men's elimination race.
Philippine Olympic Committee and Philcycling president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino admitted that it will be very difficult to duplicate the podium finish from that 1995 edition.
“I don't expect medals here for the Philippines. Back to zero tayo. Ngayon na nga lang uli tayo nagsimula at nag-calibrate. Mahihirapan pa. Unlike those big countries na wow,” Tolentino said on Wednesday during a press conference after the opening ceremony.
Tolentino, however, is looking forward to using this event to give more exposure to the country's local bets and give the spectators world-class cycling right in their backyard.
“With the powerhouse Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, China, Japan, mabigat. But we will learn. Step by step,” said Tolentino.
Competing for the Philippines in the men's elite are Andrei Dennis Deudor, Rex Luis Krog, Steven Nicolas Tablizo, Julius Mark Bonzo, Lucky Humpreykit Hermoso, Arckem Prince Angel Asas, Archie Cardana, Matt Andrei Gonzalgo, Zedric Ivan Honorica, Joemar Laboy, Marcus Gabrial Ricalde, Luke Kevin Romero, and Jeanverson Roche.
Angela Joy Marie Bermejo, Marianne Grace Dacumos, Angeline Elvira, Maura Christine Delos Reyes, Althea Mae Campana, Royol Phoebe Rose Carino, and Marlem Marasigan will compete in the women's elite for the Philippines.
Alden Andes, Kaizel Jizmundo, Asher Job Albo, and Prince Andre Pedragosa, and Maritanya Krog and Jeanne Soleil Cervantes are competing in the men's and women's juniors respectively.
Nikko Peralta, Patrick Gerard Lee, and Joel Ian Tacutaco will be in action in paracycling.
Countries that are also in action are Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Macao, Malaysia, Thailand, and Chinese Taipei.
“This is the Asian Games of cycling,” said Asian Cycling Confederation president Dato Amarjit Singh Gill during the opening ceremony.
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