World cycling body endorses Tour de Filipinas 2011

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

TOUR de FILIPINAS chief organizer Gary Cayton texted and then e-mailed me last week to say that the world cycling body Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is sanctioning again our country’s summer cycling spectacle, the Tour de Filipinas 2011, which will be held on April 16-19. Cayton revealed that so far 14 foreign teams, led by Asia’s giant Iran which plans to send three squads, while Ireland, Mongolia, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, China, Singapore, to name a few will send a squad each.
Of course, our local bets will don the colors of the national team, and our provincial squad, which will be supported by a commercial firm. Our elite locals are Ericson Obosa of Manaoag, Renato Sembrano of Mangaldan, Merculio Ramos, Jr. of Binalonan, Irish Valenzuela of Mapandan, Sherwin Carrera of San Fabian, Baler Ravina of Asingan, Santy Barnachea of Umingan and Reynaldo Navarro San Jacinto. Cayton declined to name the company that will sponsor our local riders.

Cayton also told me (being his cycling consultant) that the bikefest’s tentative route for the first stage will be in Roxas boulevard in Manila, using the criterium system. Then the participants will be ferried to Balanga, Bataan for the start of the second leg which will finish in Iba, Zambales. From Iba, the third lap will end in Lingayen. The grand finish will be at Burnham Park, Baguio City via Kennon road from Lingayen.

Here’s the e-mailed letter of UCI president Pat McQuaid to Cayton containing his message for the Tours de Filipinas 2011:

For the second year in a row, the many devotees of cycling in the Philippines will have an opportunity to experience the great excitement of a race held in stages: following the 2010 event which filled a gap that had lasted for twelve tears, the Tour de Filipinas – the new name given to the Tour of the Philippines – is being held once again over four days on a particular attractive route.

The event which we are about to follow is vitally important to this new phase of development of our sport in this magnificent country where all the conditions are now united to enable cycling regain the standard of quality and the degree of popularity which it had previously attained some years ago.

In the context of its globalization strategy – for which event that holds out great potential for future growth is a particularly valuable element – the UCI feels bound to welcome this altogether positive trend. I therefore wish to place on record the gratitude of the big family of cycling to all the persons who have shown such an enthusiastic and competent commitment to this project: their success is our success and we congratulate them on the impressive work they are doing at present.

We also owe a debt of gratitude to the political and sports authorities, the sponsors and volunteers who contributed to the organization of this Tour de Filipinas 2011. On behalf of the UCI, it gives me great pleasure to invite you to share in the unique atmosphere of a great cycling race with us: you will not regret it!

Last but not least, the best of luck to the riders who will be taking part in this race. We will be supporting them in their daily endeavours.

(Signed)

Pat McQuaid

UCI President

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: And Jesus said “You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’” And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow Me.” But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Luke 18: 20-25.

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