Le Tour de Filipinas stakes Olympic qualifying points

MANILA, Philippines — Le Tour de Filipinas will celebrate its 10th year by holding a five-stage, International Cycling Union (UCI)-sanctioned race set from June 14 to 18 from Tagaytay to Quezon to Camarines Norte to Albay and Sorsogon.

A total of 75 riders representing 15 international and local teams headed by Navy-Standard Insurance, Go for Gold and 7-Eleven Cliqq Air21 Roadbike Phl will hit the road with the Le Tour using the theme “10 Years of Cycling” to emphasize its lofty reputation as the race that started it all.

“The Le Tour de Filipinas continues its advocacy in promoting international peace, goodwill, health, tourism and environment,” said Le Tour chair Donna Lina in Tuesday’s event launch at Resorts World Manila.

For nine years, the Le Tour, which was the forerunner of the fabled Phl Cycling Tour that took several names like Tour of Luzon, Marlboro Tour, Tour Pilipinas and Padyak Pinoy among others, was held for four grueling days and snaked through most of Luzon from as far North in Pagudpud to deep south in Sorsogon.

To celebrate a decade of racing, UBE Media, Inc., the race organizer, got the UCI nod and the same Category 2.2 event, which means the country can earn Olympic qualifying points that should boost the Phl’s chance of making the Tokyo Games next year.

The Phl will need to make it to the top 50 rank in the world to get a spot in the Olympics.

It will also be part of the country’s preparation for the 30th SEA Games from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.

Bert Lina, the godfather of cycling in the country, expects no less than an exciting race.