Sports Eye

Ilocandia bikathon in the offing

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

 

I RECEIVED a call from a certain Manila based marketing company (I don’t want to mention the name as of this time) last May 1 asking me if I can direct a big road race that will be run in northern Luzon with big names in Philippine cycling to participate. I did not think twice and answered him in the affirmative. I cited my experience in directing and even organizing a multi-stage bicycle road racing like the 5-day 1995 OO Na, Takbo Na Tour of Pangasinan (financed by then former first district Congressman Oscar Orbos) and the 3-day 2005 Tour de Hundred Islands promoted by then ex-Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza aside from the hundred single day races that I managed starting March 14, 1974.
He invited me to hold a meeting at Cuidad Fernandino in Urdaneta City on May 3 and I accepted. I asked my good friend and one of my maestros in journalism JunV to accompany me being my think-tank hombre and expert in this kind of project. So, we met the marketing company’s president and chief executive officer Eve Suniega. Of course, as expected, it was a brainstorming session, talked not only the cycling event but also objective to promote the tourism industry and the indigenous key food products of each places that will be passed by the racing entourage especially at the start and grand finish venues as well as the lap terminals.

We agreed the bikathon will be called “Tour de Norte” with a maximum of 80 cyclists. It will be a 10-day race and will be staged from December 8 to 17 with an approximate distance of 1,900 kilometers. Since our province Pangasinan considered as the forerunner of Philippine cycling, we agreed to make Lingayen as the starting and culminating point with Gov. Amado “Pogi” Espino, III as the principal character.
“All systems go” said JunV, who will act as the executive director.

Allow me then to give you the planned stages: (1) Lingayen to Alaminos City via Infanta and Bolinao. (2) Mangaldan to Vigan City, Ilocos Sur via San Fernando City- Candon City. (3) Vigan City to Laoag City via Batac. (4) Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte to Aparri, Cagayan via Patapat Road. (5) Aparri to Tuguegarao City via Lallo-Gataran. (6) Tuguegarao City to Santiago City, Isabela via Ilagan City-Cauayan City. (7) Santiago City to San Jose City, Nueva Ecija via Bayombong Nueva Vizcaya-Dalton Pass. (8) Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya to Baguio City via Bokod-Ambuklao Road. (9) Burgos, La Union to Baguio City via Naguilian Road. (10) Baguio City to Lingayen, Pangasinan via Marcos Highway-Rosario, La Union- Dagupan City.
We have not talked about the prizes, so far, but I surmise about 3M in total cash prizes will be up for grabs with perhaps the champion collecting P300,000.  Tentatively, there will be no team competition, just individual honors.  This corner will keep you posted at the right time.
Sponsors? To avoid being preempted, I can’t divulge (yet) the list of sponsors but can only give a clue: a well-known national politician is supporting the project with some commercial firms backing up. If it pushes through, this will be the biggest cycling assignment that I will handle in my life. With God’s help I’m sure it will be a successful affair. Siya nawa.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Because “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away. But the word of the Lord endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you. PETER 1: 24-25

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