FOR the second time this year, 'cycling for all' will take center stage.
The Smart Communications Larga Pilipinas hits the road once again with a two-day, two-stage race for some 10,000 riders on November 29 and 30 in Nampicuan, Nueva Ecija.
Like in its inaugural staging in 2018 in Marikina and EDSA-C5 and in Guimba and Palayan last August, the race will be free of charge for everyone, says Larga Pilipinas founder and SPIN.ph contributor Snow Badua.
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“Gaya ng dati, gusto naming gawing libre ang karera kasi alam namin na ito ang paraan para mas tulungang lumaki ang cycling, isang sport na tila nag-take ng backseat matapos maudlot-udlot ang suporta ng mga bigating sponsors,” said Badua, referring to the defunct Marlboro Tour, which was the top cycling event in Asia from the 1950’s up to the late 90s.
“Masyado pong nasentro ang pondo at atensyon ng mga Pilipino sa basketball, nakalimutan natin ang cycling na minahal din ng ating mga lolo at mga tito at mga tatay at nanay noong time na may Marlboro Tour pa,” he added.
Badua revealed that the originally penciled ‘Race to the Northern Alps’ has been postponed for next year following PAG-ASA’s announcement of a La Nina until the end of the year.
“Mahirap hong ma 2-0, kasi last August na postpone na yung race namin. We wanted to do the multi-stage race sa Cordillera this November, kaso we don’t want to take the risk. Nagsalita na ang PAG-ASA. In fact, the past few weeks, never tayo nakaranas ng isang buong araw na walang ulan,” he said.
In a departure from cycling tradition, Larga Pilipinas, which is also supported by Smart Sports and Red Dynasty Seafood and Hotpot Restaurant, will have 13 categories which will be highlighted by the men’s pro/elite race.
Under the plan, professional riders will complete a 136-kilometer, Nampicuan-to-Nampicuan route for stage 1, passing through cycling hubs Tarlac and Pangasinan before returning to the starting point on November 29.
A backbreaking Nampicuan to Sitio Baag Highlands Stage 2 in San Jose, Tarlac the next day will cap the race supported by the grassroots program of the Philippine Sports Commission, Solid North Partylist, Sen. Bong Go, Manny Pacquiao, Palayan City Mayor Vianne Cuevas and the MVP Sports Foundation and sanctioned by Philcycling of POC president Bambol Tolentino.
For the People’s Race, Badua bared that these categories have started opening doors to registrants for the Men 23-under, Men 18-under, Men Senior 24-39, Men 40-up, Women 18-under, Women 23-under and Women Open in Roadbike, Men MTB Open, Women MTB Open, Fixed Gear and Phat Boyz race for male riders weighing 90 kilos and up.
The amateurs will tackle the same Stage 2 route as the pros while their opening stage will be a 106-kilometer Nampicuan to Nampicuan via Tarlac route.
The race, also backed by Midas Smart Resources Corp, Chickyfam, Hytera, Twin Cycle Gear, NLEX-SCTEX, PCSO Scratchit, Go for Gold, Zen Skin Institute, Phenom Sportswear and Elves, will also hold a fun ride category for those who aren’t into competitive cycling,
To make the race more interesting, Badua revealed that Larga Pilipinas’ newest partner, Yamaha Motor Philippines, will give away a few units of Yamaha PG-1 motorcycles to lucky participants.
“Yes, kahit mababa pa ang support - in terms of finance - that we got from this event sa mga sponsors, gusto naming gawing engrande. Kasi we believe everything starts with baby steps,” he said.
“Lahat ng papasok sa amin, ibabato namin sa mga siklista. This is to encourage more Filipinos to ride their bikes and race. Gusto naming ibalik ang dating sigla ng cycling sa bansa,” said Badua.
Interested riders may register at LargaPilipinas.com.
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