Track is back with the opening of Tagaytay Velodrome

MANILA, Philippines — There was a time that track discipline in cycling was a traditional gold medal source for the Philippines in the Southeast Asian Games.

A possible resurgence in the sport looms with the completion of the Tagaytay City Velodrome that will be officially opened Monday by Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino with national cyclists Ronald Oranza and Jermyn Prado.

“We are setting the pace for a renaissance in Philippine cycling in track discipline and we’ll be marking our cyclists’ return to the velodrome in the SEA Games,” said Tolentino, who entered an entry each in the men’s and women’s omnium.

Alfie Catalan was the last Filipino to bring home a gold in track in the 2011 SEA Games edition in Indonesia.

It was the third mint for Catalan as he also reigned supreme in 2007 in Nakhon Ratchasima and in 2005 back home. In 2007, Victor Espiritu also struck gold in the points race event.

There is hope the country can produce one in Thailand, which will stake five track gold.