Cycling: Eco-tourism promotion included in the 8-day competition
April 29, 2009 3:27 am
By Lily O Ramos
MANILA, April 28 — The cyclists participating in the eighty-day, 15-lap Padyak Pinoy will not only be competing against each other but will also promote the protection of ecology and tourism as well, Dos-1 organizer president Gary Cayton told mediamen during the PSA Forum Tuesday at the Shakey’s U.N. Avenue branch in Manila.
"Competition of such magnitude, although not as grand as those of the previous years, would bring out the best of everyone; whether as a cyclist-tourist or mere spectator, aside from enlivening the sport," Cayton said.
A total prize of P2.2 million is up for grabs with the team champion getting P500,000 and the individual winner receiving P50,000.
The King of the Mountain and Rookie of the Year will also receive P20,000 each.
Former Tour champions Santy Barnachea and Arnel Querimit, internationalist Sherwin Carrera and Merculio Ramos are among the big names skippering the teams.
Tour 2002 of Calabarzon champion and 2006 Padyak Pinoy champion will captain the Air21 squad, while Querimit, who ruled the 2003 Tour ng Pilipinas, will banner Columbia Sports.
“I’ve been preparing for the past month and I expect to do well in the Tour,” said Barnachea, who was joined in the forum by Querimit and A Freight rider Emilito Atilano.
Also present at the forum supported by Pagcor, Outlast Battery and Accel were Paquito Rivas of the Philippine National Cycling Association and Smart Sports’ Art Aro, who said that the telecommunications firm is envisioning the Tour as Asia’s version of the prestigious Tour de France.
Ramos will lead the Wow Magic Sing team, while Carrera, fresh from stints in two international races, will spearhead one of the two Tanduay teams along with Rener Clauna.
Also skippering their respective teams are Sherwin Diamsa (Burger King), Oscar Rindole (Ube), Ericson Obosa (A Freight), Baler Ravina (Navray), Warren Davadilla (Mail and More), Lucien Reynante (IWMI), Frederick Feliciano (Cargohaus), Hilson Mangahis (Tanduay 2), Joel Calderon (Smart). (PNA) scs/LOR
Comments