Sports tourism

Two Sundays ago, four executive riders form Manila came and raced in the Cebu Cycling Classic II. Team Waterwood-PLDT-DSL, a Bulacan based executive cycling team who is active in the national executive racing scene, joined some 70 local cyclists (including a fresh-looking Mayor Ramonito Durano), and under the blazing noonday sun that cyclists have come to love and hate at the same time, did the 100km, Danao-Bogo-Danao route. Although this wasn't their first time in Cebu, Raymond See, Butch Ydia, Dennis Dionisio and Dondie Azarcon, this was their first time to turn their pedals in anger here.

Out of curiosity, I asked Raymond how much they spent in their 3-day sojourn here. The figure floored me: approximately 15K per person! That was more than our race budget for the CCC! This then led me to think that if this kind of "sports tourism" can be developed, this can lead to an upswing in the interest not only in cycling but to any sport that brings out-of-towners here. And of course, it's a no-brainer that the local economy benefits also.

We all know that Cebu is not lacking in sports infrastructure, nor do we lack exceptional hotels, pension houses or recreational facilities. Beaches? They are just minutes away. And listen to this, as developed as Cebu is, the food is inexpensive and is within the reach of everybody.

For this reason, Raymond will be back late next month for the 6th Tour ni Frank. And they won't be a quartet anymore, he swears. That's because he's trying to convince other Manila executive riders (it's really a small and close-knit community) to do their R and R here, that's racing and relaxation. And their wives and kids, too.

Sex tours and medical tourism? Well, you can add sports tourism to that. You do the math!

ASIAN Games

(For the countries of Asia, the Asiad is the biggest event after the Olympics. However, I don't think that we are treating it that way. We have lost our way in the Asiad and the Olympics and that's why we are concentrating on "winnable" events like the SEA Games and lesser events.)

In road cycling, my favorites are Japan and Kazakhstan. I don't know if Kazaks Alexander Vinokourov (2006 Vuelta s Espana Champion) and Andre Kascheckin (2nd runner up, 2006 Vuelta) will be there but even if they aren't there, Kazahkstan has a good crop of young cyclists. Japan, on the other hand, has Fumiyuki Beppu, a Euro-based pro who rides for DISCOVERY CHANNEL. He is the favorite to win the RR.

In my opinion, the only chance RP has in winning the road race is to go in an early break and catch the strong teams like Iran, Japan, Kazahkstan or China sleeping. It's a long shot but hopefully, Santy Barnachea, Warren Davadilla, Ericson Obosa, John Ricafort, Frederick Feliciano and Arnel Quirimit can pull an upset.

Marites Bitbit, the current SEAG MTB XC champion and a resident of Toledo City, is the lone female cycling rep. She will be doing the 133.1km RR and the 28.83km ITT. In the real cycling scenario, Bitbits' chances of winning the RR are slim to none. Unlike in MTB racing, RR is a team effort. You simply can't win without any teammates. That's why I'm surprised why Philcycling even included Bibit in the RR. But as they say in cycling, when you feel the pain, the competition also feels the pain. It's the rider who can shut out the pain who'll win it all.

Bike Mechanic

There's no doubt in my mind, and I think most of you will agree, that the most learned bike mechanic out there is Adan Muana. Adan doesn't look like a mechanic, in fact, with his glasses and long locks, he looks more like an intellectual out of the 70's than a bike wrench. Another good wrench out there is Ben Fabroa. Ben isn't only an exceptional mechanic but a mean MTB rider and roadie as well. The man has a big motor when it comes to road racing. Ben was the chief mechanic at BIKEHUB before the shop transferred its operations in Cagayan de Oro. Both Adan and Ben have the hands of a watch repairman, so you can be sure that your pricey stuff won't get scratched. You can contacted them on these numbers: 0917-977-6078 (Adan) and 0918-568-6499 (Ben).