9th Le Tour de Filipinas kicks off today

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ finest led by 2014 champ Mark Galedo set out to defend local pride against 50 foreign rivals in a furious pedal for glory in the ninth Le Tour de Filipinas flagging off today’s opening stage from Quezon City to Palayan in Nueva Ecija.

Galedo, along with fellow 7 -Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philppines aces Felipe Marcelo, fresh from his third best Asian rider in the Tour de Langkawi, and Rustom Lim, and national champ Jan Paul Morales of Philippine Navy Standard Insurance, spearhead 29 Filipino stars from six teams determined to carry the Phl flag in the UCI race.

“I want to win again,” said Galedo, who skipped the Le Tour de Langkawi to concentrate on his quest to be a two-time champ in the road spectacle on home ground.

“We’ll do our best and give the foreigners a good fight,” said Morales.

Expected to lead the foreign charge are Russian Artem Overchim of Malaysia’s Team Terengganu, the reigning Langkawi titlist, and Danish John Ebsen of Forca Amskins of Malaysia. The vaunted Iranian riders from Pishgaman Team led by national champ Mehdi Sorabi, are also tipped to contend in the four-stage race that ends in Baguio.

Competitors hit the road this morning in the 157.50K opener from Liwasang Aurora on Elliptical Road, which traverses Edsa toward Monumento for the neutral zone before heading to MacArthur Highway, Malolos, San Fernando, Gapan en route to the finish in Palayan.

Stage Two puts the riders in 157.90K race from Cabanatuan City to Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya followed by a 185.20K pedal from Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya to Lingayen, Pangasinan then ultimately the 154.65K cycle from Lingayen to Baguio highlighted by a Hos Category climb on Kennon Road.

Race manager Paquito Rivas, the 1979 Marlboro Tour  winner and Eagle of the Mountain, said the title will be won on the last stage, which tests competitors in a challenging climb after going through mostly flat roads at the start.

“The technical aspect of the entire Le Tour lies much on the fourth stage,” said Rivas.

The Le Tour de Filipinas, which is co-presented by Air21, Cignal and Cargohaus Inc., features a new high of 16 nationalities represented.