Manila Criterium GP finale on tomorrow

MANILA, Philippines - The local cycling season opens tomorrow with the grand finale of the Roadbike Phils.-711 Manila Criterium Grand Prix beside the Baywalk area along Roxas Boulevard in Manila.

Majority of the riding top guns – Victor Espiritu, Arnold Quirimit, Warren Davadilla, Sherwin Diamsay, Lloyd Lucien Reynante and Sean Guevarra, among others – are expected to see action in the fourth and final leg of the criterium series called the Mayor Alfredo Lim Cup.

“We would like to thank all of our riders and fans for supporting our event. We hope you will all come again on Sunday in what promises to be another exciting day of racing action,” said Roadbike Phils. president Pablito “Bong” Sual of the circuit races presented by 7-11, Excellent Noodles, Oishi and Columbia sportswear.    

Sual, who is also the road committee chairman of Philcycling under Tagaytay Mayor Bambol Tolentino, likewise cited the support of the Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and the Manila Sports Council led by Niño dela Cruz.

“Without Mayor Lim’s and Dela Cruz’s all-out support, we would not have pulled this series off,” he added.

Adding a festive air to the day’s activities will be the special participation of the Philippine Navy band, courtesy of Navy chief, Rear Adm. Ferdinand Golez, who is also expected to compete in the special all-Navy officers’ race.  

Aside from leg honors, also up for grabs are overall prizes in the all the categories of the whole-day contests also supported by Spyder helmet, E touch, Cellway, Suunto_Watches, Franzia California Red Wine, Gatorade, Summit Mineral Drinking Water and Red Bull Energy Drink, the event’s official Energy drink.

“Based on the cumulative points of the previous three legs by all the competing riders, plus the points in Sunday’s races, we will also award overall winners in each bracket,” events director Ric Rodriguez said.

“This should inspire our cyclists to give their all because of what is at stake in Sunday’s competitions,” he said.