National Open slots at stake in Cavite Tour

MANILA, Philippines - The second Tour of Cavite will be held tomorrow with berths in the National Open Cycling Championships up for grabs in the 160-km race firing off at 8 a.m. in front of the Municipal Hall of Carmona, Cavite.

Knight Bikers of Carmona, Cavite president Ronnie Hebron is confident Cavite will be ably represented in the national tilt slated Dec. 6-11 under the auspices of the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (ICFP).

“We are sending the Top 10 riders of our tour to the National Open to represent Team Cavite,” said Hebron.

Mayor Dhalia Loyola and Rep. Roy Loyola, together with Gov. Jonvic Remulla, will flag off the riders, who will negotiate the roads of Carmona, GMA, Palapala, Molino, Aguinaldo Highway, Gen. Trias, Mangahan, Trece Martires, Naic, Indang, Alfonso, Tagaytay, Silang, Dasmariñas and back to Carmona.

Winners will receive cash prizes and trophies, plus the chance to banner Team Cavite in the National Open, which is making a comeback after a 25-year absence.

The National Cycling Open, last held in 1985 in Cagayan de Oro City, will feature track, mountain bike and road race events.

ICFP president Dr. Philip Ella Juico said that the tournament is open to all those who love the sport of cycling.

“That is precisely why the name of the tournament is the National Open Cycling Championships - it is open to all those who care for the sport and want it developed further,” said Juico, a former chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and also ex-Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform under the late President Corazon Aquino.

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.