MANILA, Philippines - The 2014 Le Tour de Filipinas firing off Monday in Clark, Pampanga will serve as part of the eliminations for members of the national team vying in this year’s Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
According to PhilCycling president, Tagaytay City Rep. Abraham “Bambol†Tolentino, the top Filipino finishers in the 2014 Le Tour de Filipinas will have one wheel into the national pool for the Asian Games set from Sept. 19-Oct. 4.
“The Le Tour de Filipinas has always been a determinant on how strong our cyclists are because it is an international race participated in not only by the best cyclists in Asia but also potent riders from around the world,†Tolentino said.
Fifteen teams are seeing action in the 2014 Le Tour de Filipinas, an advocacy of PhilCycling chairman Bert Lina and presented by Air21. And 13 of the teams are foreign—10 continental squads or professional teams registered in the International Cycling Union (UCI).
The continental teams are based in Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Ireland and Iran. There are also three clubs from Mongolia, Australia and Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates national team.
Only two local teams are entered—7-Eleven Road Bike Philippines and Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance—in the race supported by Smart, NLEX, SCTEX, TPLEX, BCDA, Petron and Victory Liner, but they are packed with the cream of the crop of Philippine cycling, including 2012 Le Tour de Filipinas winner Jonifer “Baler†Ravina.
Co-organized by UBE media, the 2014 Le Tour de Filipinas also has as major partners Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino, Cabanatuan City Mayor Julius Cesar Vergara, Nueva Vizcaya Governor Ruth Rana Padilla and Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan.
Irishman David McCann won the inaugurals in 2010. Iran’s Rahim Emami triumphed in 2011 and former Asia No. 1 Ghader Mizbani also of Iran prevailed last year.