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    PH teams eye qualifying points for Tokyo Olympics in 10th Le Tour de Filipinas

    Cariño set to defend crown in Le Tour's 10th year celebration
    May 28, 2019
    PHOTO: jerome ascaño

    FOUR Filipino teams headline the 15 squads racing in five stages in the Le Tour de Filipinas, which celebrates its 10th year from June 14 to 18.

    With 75 riders participating, 9th Le Tour de Filipinas champion El Joshua Cariño defends his crown as a rider of Philippine Navy Standard Insurance in the Le Tour organized by Ube Media, which got the International Cycling Union (UCI)’s nod for a Category 2.2 event in five days.

    Cariño was the third Filipino to rule Le Tour after Baler Ravina in 2012 and Mark John Lexer Galedo in 2014.

    The three other Philippine squads are 7-Eleven Cliqq AIR21 Roadbike Philippines, Go For Gold, and Bike X Philippines, which are all eyeing to collect Olympic Qualifying points for Tokyo 2020 and gear up for 30th Southeast Asian Games.

    “It's much interesting this time because our preparation is something else. We are celebrating 10 years of cycling in the Philippines,” said Philcycling chairman Bert Lina. “There are lot of surprises waiting for all of us.”

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      The riders, coming from over 12 countries, will cover a total distance of 822.20 kms.

      “The Le Tour de Filipinas continues its advocacy in promoting international peace, good will, health tourism and environment,” Le Tour de Filipinas chair Donna Lina said. “And to emphasize this advocacy the race has been elevated to five stages.”

      Celebrating with a battle cry of “10 years of Cycling”, Le Tour kicks off on June 14 with a short yet demanding 129.50-km Stage 1 on an out-and-back course marked with several climbs in Tagaytay City.

      Then, the tour entourage transfers to Lucena City in Quezon Province, where the cyclists will pend the night before Stage 2 on June 15 that will be a king 194.90 kms from first-time host, Pagbilao, to Daet in Camarines Norte.

      Stage 3 is set on June 16 and it will be 183.70 kms from Daet to Legazpi City before heading to Stage 4, which will cover 176 kms from Legazpi City via Sorsogon and Gubat and back to the Albay capital.

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      The Finals stage will also be out-and-back in Legazpi City but this time it will be via Donsol in Sorsogon for a total of 145.80 kms — a crucial final leg where the cyclists will have to endure pedaling over rolling hills and strong winds.

      “It’s the 10th year and like in the previous editions, the riders will face challenges the elements offer, thus squeezing out the best of the best in this sports spectacle in two wheels,” said Donna Lina.

      Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

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      PHOTO: jerome ascaño
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