Le Tour and Ronda

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.  
  

 

IT was in 1973 to 1976 when there were at least two professional multi-stage cycling road races in the Philippines. The following made it three: the eight-day Tour of PICCA (Phil. Industrial Commercial Cycling Association organized by the late Antonio Kairuz (won by this writer) and the 24 stages Tour ng Pilipinas formed by Philippine Cycling Association of the Philippines, headed by lawyers Mat Defensor and Cornelio Padilla, Jr. and assisted by the late Jose Sumalde. This race, considered the longest in the history of cycling, was won by the legend Manuel “Maui” Reynante who just passed away last year, The third was the 17-day Tour of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao managed by the late Atty. Geruncio Lacuesta (won by this writer).

The Marlboro Tour was born in 1979 and monopolized the country’s multi-stage bikathon up to the year 1998. It was discontinued in 1999 because of its conflict with UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) rules. Pro cycling was off for three years and was revived in 2002 by courier company Air 21 and organized the four-day bikefest called “Tour of Calabarzon”. Umingan son Santy Barnachea triumphed, his first of three championships (so far) with Pozorrubio native Arnel Quirimit coming in close second. Tour of Calabarzon organizers expanded the two-wheeled event and organized the 15-day Tour Pilipinas in 2003 won by Quirimit. The name Tour Pilipinas was changed to “Padyak Pinoy” with Barnachea bagging his second tiara in 2006. But the Padyak Pinoy name was changed to “Le Tour de Filipinas” in 2010 with the same sponsor won by David McAnn, a cyclist from Ireland.

In Year 2011, LBC, another courier company, formed a different multi-stage bikathon called “Ronda Pilipinas” initially won by Barnachea, his third (so far) and Asingan pride Baler Ravina taking the Le Tour diadem last year.

The 2013 Le Tour is ready to reel off on April 13 and cycling buffs are asking me which is the better and more prestigious multi-stage race in the country today (between Le Tour and Ronda). I told them there’s a big difference between the two in terms of prizes, longevity and prestige. Le Tour is just a four day race with lesser prizes, but it is more prestigious race than Ronda because the world governing body UCI is sanctioning the event (unlike Ronda) and foreign bets, i.e., Germans, Irish, Dutch, Portuguese, Australians, Iranians, Taiwanese, Japanese, Malaysians, Singaporeans, Koreans, Bruneians and Azerbaijanians participate as well. In terms of prizes, (individual, team, stage, etc.) Ronda gives bigger prizes. There’s no comparison. If you win the Ronda, you become a millionaire cyclist ‘ika nga. Last I heard, Ronda organizers will also ask UCI to sanction Ronda so they can also invite foreigners to participate next year. Hopefully the plan pushes through.

*          *          *          *

I’m so happy that our national football squad, the “Azkals”, thrashed the Turkmenistan team (1-0) last Tuesday night during the AFC Challenge Cup Group E Qualifying Match. I watched the game live on TV where the British-Filipino Phil Younghusband scored the only goal of the match that earned them a ticket for their Asian tourney. Football was the number one favorite sport of the Filipinos in the early 1950’s but gradually declined in popularity and even dropped outside the top ten ranking after our national basketball squad spearheaded by cage icon Carlos Loyzaga won the bronze medal in the 1954 World Basketball Championship held in Rio de Janero, Brazil. Survey says football is perking up and now in the top five favorite sports of Pinoys after basketball, boxing, billiards and golf. Football is being distinguished as the number one sport in the world today. Amen. 

*          *          *          *

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” JOHN 20: 26-29 

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments