Sports Eye

By October 24, 2017Opinion, Sports Eye

All systems go for Le Tour de Norte

 

By Jesus A. Garcia, Jr.

I HAD written about the planned ten-day bikathon being organized by a certain Makati City-based marketing company in our May 8 issue this year, when they asked me to direct a big race that will involve the big names in Philippine cycling. Without much ado after the brainstorming meeting and with a favorable advice from media colleague JunV, I replied in the affirmative citing my vast experience in directing as well as organizing a multi-stage bicycle road race since March 14, 1974. The conceptualized bikefest was firstly designed to traverse the entire provinces of northern Luzon which we originally dubbed it as “Tour of Ilocandia” tentatively slated this coming December 8-17. Of course, the bikefest is supposed to be a professional event so a huge amount of cash prizes to the tune of P5.7 million was going to be offered.

However, the ten-day event will no longer push through due to sponsor and time constraints after two months of planning. The organizers decided on a four-day competition. According to the two marketing companies Trialzion Event Production and DH Event and Management headed by Claire Malanyaon and Eve Suniega, respectively, the road saga will definitely be held on January 18-21 next year with some national sports dignitaries like Sen. Manny Pacquiao, well-known business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan, former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis Chavit Singson and his son Gov. Ryan Singson, Mila’s Lechon, to name some, supporting the event. Of course, our province, Pangasinan, which is well-known as the hotbed of Philippine cycling, will play a major role in this affair with our dynamic provincial leader the sports-minded Gov. Amado “Pogi” Espino, lll at the helm for the starting and culmination rites.

Ms Malanyoan and Ms Suniega clarified to me that the bikefest is not only a cycling road race but also an occasion to promote the eco-tourism industry and the indigenous key food products in each place throughout the itinerary, particularly at the start and grand finish as well as the lap terminals.

Furthermore, to give an international image, we agreed to change the name of the event and now will be called “Le Tour de Norte,” instead of Tour of Ilocandia. Since our province Pangasinan is considered as the forerunner of Philippine cycling, we also agreed to make Lingayen as the starting and finishing point and Guvnor Pogi as the principal character. There will be no team competition, just individual honors with maximum of 80 accredited contestants.

Allow me to give you the revised stages: (1) Lingayen to Alaminos City via Labrador, Sual, Alaminos City, Bani, Anda, Bolinao, back to Bani, Agno (by-pass), Mabini, then Alaminos. (2) Bugallon to Baguio City via Aguilar, Mangatarem, Urbiztondo, Basista, Bayambang, Alcala, Sto. Tomas, Carmen, Rosales, Sta. Maria, Asingan, San Manuel, Binalonan, Pozorrubio, Sison, Kennon Road, then Baguio City. (3) Baguio City to Candon City via Naguilian Road, Bauang, San Fernando City, San Juan, Bacnotan, Balaoan, Bangar, Sudipen, Tagudin (by pass), Sta. Lucia, then Candon City. (4) Candon City to Lingayen via Sta. Lucia, Tagudin (by-pass), Sudipen, Bangar, Balaoan, Bacnotan, San Juan, San Fernando City, Bauang, Caba, Aringay, Agoo, Sto. Tomas (by-pass), Damortis, San Fabian, Dagupan City (by-pass), Binmaley, then Lingayen.
“All systems go,” said the two ladies and echoed by JunV.

I’ll keep you posted in this corner before and after the race. God bless.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: And Jesus Christ said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” JOHN 6: 63

 

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