Bigger Philippine Open cycling to be staged

MANILA, Philippines - After a 25-year hiatus, the National Open Cycling Championships makes a return on Dec. 6-13, with the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (ICFP) as its lead agency.

ICFP president Dr. Philip Ella Juico made the announcement Monday night before members of his board, cyclists and supporters at the Rembrandt Hotel.

“The National Open will be a cyclists’ delight because it will cater to all of their specialties – from road to velodrome, mountain-bike and cross-country racing. I talked to the cyclists and they are all very excited, saying it’s about time that a tournament as prestigious as this one, is revived,” said Juico, a former Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

“This is just the start of a busy season for our cyclists, who have been yearning for a perfect venue to get their competitive juices flowing. The National Open is just the first of a number of events lined up for them,” added Juico, who was also a former Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform under the late President Corazon Aquino.

The National Open was last held in 1985 in Cagayan de Oro, with then cycling president Gov. Francisco Almeda at the helm.

This time, Juico promises, the open bikefest will be bigger in scope in terms of participation, with the backing of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

“We all want to do something to help the cyclists. We can share our ideas, our resources, our logistics and stand us one. I’m here to help. The worst thing we can do is not to do anything when we have the capability to help. I’m only answering the challenge posed by our President (Benigno Aquino III), to be part of the solution, and not the problem,” said Juico, who is also currently the president of the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.

The Amoranto Velodrome in Quezon City will be the venue for the track competitions, while the road races will be held from Tanay, Rizal all the way to the same velodrome. Montalban, Rizal will host the MTB Event.

Events in the road race are the 40-km individual time trials for both men and women and the 160-km Open Road Race for men, while track events are the following: 1,600 meters massed start, 4,800 meters massed start, 4-km individual and team pursuit, 30-km Points Race and the 1-km ITT.

All participants (riders and officials) are expected to attend a general assembly on Dec. 4, 9 a.m. at the Amoranto Sports Complex . A day earlier, a Team Managers’ Briefing at 10 a.m. is scheduled.