Airfreight bares plan to produce world-class cyclists

Airfreight, the firm behind the staging of the FexEx Tour of Calabarzon last year, is launching a massive program designed to FedEx to build international caliber cyclists out of rising young stars during the next five year.

"It can be done," said Airfreight 2100 Inc. chair Bert Lina.

Next year’s 14-stage tour sponsored by Air21 would be the perfect time and venue to begin the search for Neil Armstrong wannabes.

Tentatively known as Air21 Express Tour, the event, which already enticed at least 300 participants when registration for the qualifying races opened as early as last month, will unveil its new logo and title for the 2003 season.

Application forms are available at the Professional Cycling Association of the Philippines at the Amoranto Stadium in Quezon City.

Deadline for registration is Oct. 31. Interested parties may call PCAP president Paquito Rivas at telephone number 879-4374.

Armstrong, the reigning Tour de France champion, caught the imagination of Lina when the 31-year-old American won the most prestigious cycling event in the entire globe for a record-breaking fourth straight time this season.

Before dominating the Tour de France circuit beginning in 1999, Armstrong successfully battled an advanced stage of testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain.

"He (Armstrong) is a perfect role model for our riders. If we could just replicate the will and determination of Armstrong, then a local version of Armstrong wouldn’t be far-fetched," said Lina, touted as the new godfather of Philippine cycling.

Among those who signified their intention to compete in the Air21 Express Tour Pilipinas next year are two-time King of the Mountain Carlo Guieb, top Southern Tagalog rider Renato Dolosa and national team standout Victor Espiritu.

These riders are expected to see action in the two-week cycling odyssey, which will kick off in the Bicol region, traverse the perilous roads of Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon up to the tip of the Ilocos region before finally ending the adventure in Metro Manila.