Splitting our pro cyclists

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

THE country’s two annual major professional multi-stage cycling races will be flagged off this month, but unlike last season, surprisingly it will be held this year with conflicting dates. First to reel off is the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) sanctioned Le Tour de Filipinas on February 18 in Antipolo City. While Le Tour is on the third stage on Feb. 20, the LBC Ronda Pilipinas kicks off on the same date in Butuan City. This is puzzling and confusing to our cycling buffs, including this writer.

Consequently, our professional riders will be split into two to participate in these two big races. This is the first time to happen in this country and I can’t understand why our national cycling body, the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (PhilCyling), had given both the green light to hold these two events simultaneously.

The seven-year old Le Tour, organized by Air 21 is a four-day road saga that features 12 foreign teams and three locals, bannered by our nationals and our elite under-23 pedal pushers. Being the only UCI-certified race in the country, UCI says Le Tour winners of stages, mountains, sprints and the overall champion will collect points for a shot at the world championships and this year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.

I still recall that our national road racers last participation in the quadrennial meet was the 1992 Barcelona Olympics spearheaded by Domingo Villanueva and Norberto Oconer. And yes, this is a big chance for our boys to earn some points since they will be racing in their own turf, familiar with the terrain. UCI also says that the contestants have to pile up some points, too, in South East Asia races particularly the prestigious Tour de Langkawi in Malaysia to bag a world slot and the Rio Games. But that is a very tough task.

Ronda, with bigger cash prizes at stake, is a three-event race exclusively for Filipinos. The Mindanao leg is slated on February 20-27 while the Visayas and Luzon legs will be conducted in March and April, respectively, both to be run in five days. But our local cyclists of Le Tour who were unable to join the Mindanao leg can join the Visayan and Luzon sections. Unlike last year which had only one overall winner bagged by Umingan son Santy Barnachea, the 2016 Ronda will crown separate champions in the Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon legs.

Obviously you can see the rivalry of the two corporate presenters, the forwarding giants Air 21 and LBC. Halatang hindi sila nagbibigayan, ‘ika nga. They are noticeably in a dog-eat-dog relationship which is bad for cycling.

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My heartfelt sympathy to the family and relatives of our former Mangaldan town chief executive Dr. Numeriano Presto who passed away last week. Presto, 90, during his three-year term never thought of discontinuing the annual bicycle road race “Werweran ed Mangaldan” during our town fiesta celebrations. (But for reasons beyond me, the annual bikefest was discontinued by our present Mayor Bona de Vera Parayno).

Condolences also to the family of my cumpadre Jesse Maanao who passed away last February 5. The Guam-native and former Guam Ombudsman Maanao, 79, was also a supporter of the Werweran during his two decades stint in my town Mangaldan. May the two find their eternal rest in peace.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Come, and let us return to the Lord; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His sight. HOSEA 6: 1-2

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