Tour of Luzon kicks off

A total of 90 cyclists will embark on a seven-day race as the Tour of Luzon hits the road Monday.

Starting from the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, the cyclists will proceed to Lucena City in Quezon province.

According to SportsNews.ph, the race is bannered by two-time champion Warren Davadilla of Regasco team and former Tour winners Rhyan Tanguilig of Team Liquigaz/LPGMA, Santy Barnachea of Mobile Wonders and Arnel Quirimit of Happy Nuts.

On Day 2, the cyclists will traverse hilly terrain from Lucena City to Tagaytay City. Marikina City will be the next stop of the race, followed by Cabanatuan City.

After Cabanatuan, the cyclists will go to the City of Pines for the demanding Baguio-Baguio stage on Saturday.

A total cash prize worth P2 million is at stake for the bikers, with P500,000 awaiting the team champion.

Aside from the cash prize, the top 12 riders will also gain slots on the national team under the Philippine National Cycling Association.

“Besides developing talent for the sport, we're committed to helping the national team become successful in international competitions,'' said Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers Association (LPGMA) Arnel Ty in the SportsNews.ph report.

LPGMA along with Liquigaz organized this year’s Tour of Luzon.

Other Tour contenders include Oscar Rendole of GeoEstate/The Beacon, Merculio Ramos of My Photos and Baler Ravina of Team Batang Tagaytay.

American Vinyl’s Lloyd Reynante, DPT Law’s Joel Calderon and Tour veteran Dante Cagas of 7-11/Road Bike Philippines will also see action.

Meanwhile, a side event was organized for executive riders that will have them compete from Agoo, La Union, to Baguio City. They will also race in Baguio before taking part in Sunday’s victory lap on Macapagal Highway in Pasay City.

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