AFTER years of hibernation, multi-stage cycling race that once became an annual tradition every summer makes its grand comeback via the Tour of Luzon.
The comeback event called ‘The Great Revival’ will consist of eight stages to be held around Luzon island from April 24 to May 1, with the race beginning in Laoag City and ending at Camp John Hay in Baguio City.
The name ‘Tour of Luzon’ has long been used to identify the annual summer bikathon. Its first iteration traces its roots way back in 1955 with the Manila to Vigan race, before being renamed as such the following year.
From Marlboro Tour to Ronda to Le Tour
The race later became the Marlboro Tour where cyclists became hometown and national heroes until it was discontinued after the 1998 edition due to the ban on cigarettes and alcoholic drink sponsorships in sports events.
The Union Cycliste Internationale-sanctioned Le Tour de Filipinas and Ronda Pilipinas were later recognized as the top cycling races in the country. The Le Tour, however, was discontinued during the pandemic, while Ronda hasn’t held a race since 2022.
Just like its first version decades ago, the Tour of Luzon will look to reinvigorate road racing in the country with the backing of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) and the organizing DuckWorld PH.
“I am personally excited to give this generation the chance to witness the legendary summer spectacle and be truly awed by the power of the human spirit,” said MPTC president and CEO Arrey Perez in a press conference on Thursday at the Meralco Lighthouse. “In a world hardened by economic struggles and political strife, these events serve as powerful reminders of the best that remains in us."
“Cycling is all about speed, determination and the courage to conquer the elements, much in the same way as what we do in business,” MPTC chairman Manny V. Pangilinan said. “Business is like cycling, you train your body and prepare your mind, you set a goal to be ahead of the rest at the finish line — but in between you face all sorts of challenges.”
Race details
After the opening ceremony on April 23, Stage 1 will be a 170-kilometer road race from Laoag to Laoag via Pagudpud on April 24.
An 80-kilometer team time trial from Laoag to Vigan on April 25, a 170-km criterium race from Vigan to Agoo on April 26, and a 150-km road race from Agoo to Clark on April 27 follow.
Riders will stay in Clark for two days for Stage 5 - a Clark-to-Clark 120-km road race on April 28 where cyclists will make the turn at New Clark City via SCTEX - and Stage 6, a 150-km road race from Clark to Lingayen on April 29
Stage 7 will be a 30-km individual time trial in Lingayen City on April 30.
The ‘Tour’ ends with a 180-km road race from Lingayen to Baguio City’s Camp John Hay via Kennon Road where the champion of the general classification and the winner of the P500,000 top prize, and the team classification titlist with a P1 million prize, will most likely be determined.
Philippine Olympic Committee and Philcycling president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino welcomed the return of the summer cycling event.
“Finally, nabalik po ang Tour of Luzon. Kaya nagpapasalamat po kami sa MPTC, MVP Group, and Duckworld. Five years ago, this was on my bucket list and the cards I laid down to PhilCycling. Hindi lang po Tour of Luzon ang sinabi ko noon… Magandang simula itong revival ng Tour of Luzon with your help (MPTC) of course. Kaya nagpapasalamat po kami sa inyong lahat,” Tolentino said.
DuckWorld PH chief Patrick Gregorio said the Tour of Luzon is a boost not only to Philippine cycling but to local tourism as well.
“We enable not just Philippine cycling, we enable all NSAs. And we encourage them, let’s develop, let’s put this together because it is good for our country, it’s good for Philippine sports,” said Gregorio.
Race commissaire Lorenzo ‘Jun’ Lomibao said at least 15 local teams will compete including notable clubs 7-Eleven, Standard Insurace, Go For Gold, Victoria Sports, and Excellent Noodles, while three international squads have expressed their intention to join.
"The news about the Tour of Luzon revival has gone overseas. Merong at least tatlong foreign teams from Southeast Asia who wanted to join. These are the Singapore National Team, Indonesia, and sa Thailand, merong tatlong club teams, pero we just have to choose one.
"Very, very enthusiastic, ang cycling community," said Lomibao, who also sits as Philcycling director.
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