Tour de France champ graces BGC cycle race

MANILA, Philippines - Aussie Robbie McEwen, a three-time Tour de France Sprinters’ Classification champion, is joining members of the national team and more than 2,000 riders in the second BGC CycleAsia Philippines which fires off today at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

The event, featuring the centerpiece Adult Ride category, is held in conjunction with the celebration of the National Bike Day with participants to join the Ride with Robbie stage to be followed by the 40km Challenge Ride and the 20km Community and Foldies Community Rides.

“This year is extra special because McEwen will be joining the national cycling team, led by national coach Chris Allison, the Kona Ironman and Maui Xterra Off-Road Triathlon World Championship finishers,” said Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, president of the organizing Sunrise Events, Inc.

The BGC CycleAsia Philippines is held in partnership with the SEI and BGC and is part of Cycle Asia, a network of premier cycling events held across Asia.

“The growth of BGC CycleAsia Philippines has been tremendous to see and now with its partnership alongside the Philippines’ National Bicycle Day, it’s a testament to just how popular the sport has become here,” said Chris Robb, CEO of Spectrum Worldwide, owners of CycleAsia.

The event, sponsored by Bonifacio Global City, actually kicked off yesterday with the Tricycle Ride, the Kids’ Ride and the Junior Challenge along with the two-day Cycling and Lifestyle Expo.

“Bicycling is not only good for the environment but is also a solution to our current transportation woes. It is an efficient and fun way to get around while getting the exercise you need to stay healthy without having to make the extra time to work out,” said Uytengsu.

Aside from the cycling action, BGC also offers a huge range of activities for tourists to take advantage of during their stay. The district is well known for its open-air lifestyle retail and dining concept and public art program, as well as a world-class science museum and parks.

Other backers of the event are Gatorade and Manila Water as hydration partners, Mind Museum as expo venue and other sponsors including 2Go, Devant, F2P, Garmin, Lexus, NxLed, Pioneer Insurance, Rudy Project, Scott Bikes and Skippy’s with the Philippine STAR as the event’s media partner.

For details, visit www.cyclephilippines.com.ph <http://www.cyclephilippines.com.ph/>.