MANILA, Philippines — Papadyak ang Go For Gold Criterium Race Series 3 sa Linggo tampok ang pagdiskubre sa mga bagong cycling talents sa Mindanao.
Ang General Santos City, ang probinsya ni dating Senator at global boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, ang magho-host ng third at last leg ng serye ng one-day bikathon.
“Aside from organizing safe and well-run races in order to elevate the sport of cycling in the Philippines, these races serve as talent identification,’’ ani Go For Gold founder Jeremy Go.
Humigit-kumulang sa 500 cyclists mula sa 10 categories ang inaasahang papadyak sa third phase ng three-leg series na suportado ng Go For Gold PH, SCRATCHIT, PhilCycling, General Santos City at ni Pacquiao.
Pinagharian ni seasoned rider Jan Paul Morales ang men’s elite race ng Go For Gold Criterium Race Series 2 sa Cebu City noong Hulyo.
Nadiskubre naman sa series opener sa Clark, Pampanga sina Marvin Mandac ng Batangas at Marco Lumanog ng Pangasinan.
“We’re trying to grow the sport of cycling and also trying to professionalize it. That’s why we always work hand in hand with PhilCycling,” wika ni Go, ang cycling godfather na sumusuporta sa 200 riders, kasama ang 26-man Go For Gold Cycling Team.
Kasama rin sa nagtataguyod ng Series 3 ng three-phase race ang SPNCYCLE, CYCLE LAB, MAGENE, KALOS PH, HYTERA, Strong Group Athletics, Midas Smart Resources Inc., MVP Sports Foundation, DPWH at PSO pati na ang Gatorade bilang official hydration partner at Booster C na official energy shot provider.
Ang mga nakalatag na events ay ang men elite, women open, men under 23, men junior, men youth, MTB elite, MTB men junior, men 40-up, men 30-39 at manager category.