Source: ABS-CBN News
-- The real complexion of the 2012 Le Tour de Filipinas has started to stage up after Monday's Stage Three from Cauayan City, where Uzbekistan Suren skipper Azamat Turaev served notice of his mountain climbing skills.
Turaev ruled the stage that was highlighted by a Category 1 King of the Mountain Summit. He clocked in at 2 hours, 23 minutes and 36 seconds over a distance of 102.5-km.
The 19-year-old Turaev was vocal about his intention to snatch this year’s crown, saying, “The steeper, the better.”
"Tomorrow (Stage Four) is our race. We ride better in the mountains," added Uzbekistan Suren team manager Mostafa Chaichi.
The fourth stage is bound to punish the 74 surviving cyclists with two Hors (highest) category climbs and a dizzying downhill finish to Burnham Park.
Turaev progressed from eighth to fifth in the individual general classification and has developed as a potential threat to the yellow jersey, which German rider Timo Scholz of CCN Cycling Team will be wearing for the second straight day.
"I didn't expect to keep the yellow (jersey). Honestly, I'm not in good shape to defend it," said Scholz, the oldest rider in the tour at 39 years old.
"We'll see what happens tomorrow," he added.
Scholz snatched the leader’s jersey from Mail and More’s Oscar Rendole, who on Saturday became the first Filipino to win a stage in a UCI race. Go21’s Arnel Quirimit made it back-to-back for the Philippines when he won Sunday’s second stage.
Scholz was 18th on Monday, crossing the finish line 21 seconds after Turaev. He was with a big group that included contenders Alexander Malone of the Australian team Plan B, Singapore OCBC’s Loh Sea Keong and Rendole.
Malone remained at second overall, 26 seconds behind Scholz. Loh (25 seconds) and Rendole (1:06) kept their third and fourth positions in the general classification, while Dutch Global’s Koos Jeroen Kers dropped to sixth from fifth (1:46).
Rounding out the top 10 were Rudy Roque of LPGMA-American Vinyl at seventh (1:52 behind), Bikenz-PureBlack’s James Williamson at eighth (1:52 behind), Filipino Baler Ravena of Go21 at ninth (2:11) and Indonesian Rastra Patria of Colossi at 10th place (2:13).
In the overall team classification, Mail and More remained in the lead with a 14-second lead over LPGMA-American Vinyl and 1:05 over Go21.
Uzbekistan Suren also made progress by running third, 1:20 behind Mail and More, followed by CCN Cycling Team (1:44), Dutch Global (2:54), PureBlack (4:45), Kia (6:44), Aisan Racing Team (6:53) and Terranganu Racing Team (7:32).
Smart-PhilCycling was 11th, followed by OCBC Singapore, Plan B, Colossi Mich, Action Cycling Team and Yogyakarta.
Source: GMA News
-- PhilCycling president Bambol Tolentino said the 2012 Le Tour de Filipinas is proof of global cycling's recognition of the country's contribution to the continuous development of the sport.
The Le Tour, now on its third year and the only local race that is part of the International Cycling Union's (Union Cycliste Internationale, UCI) Asian Tour calendar, is set from April 14 to 17. The four-stage race starts in Sta. Ana, Cagayan with the finish line at Burnham Park in Baguio City.
"It's not very easy to organize a multi-stage road race, and having it sanctioned by the UCI for that matter. The cycling world would be focusing on the Philippines for four days, thus keeping the flames burning for the annual summer sports spectacle that the Filipino fan has enthusiastically followed for more than half a century now," said Tolentino.
Tolentino added top foreign cyclists, some noted international campaigners, are out to challenge the Filipino riders.
"The foreign opposition may be that tough, tougher to be more precise, but the Le Tour de Filipinas definitely gives our local cycling heroes the opportunity to match skills and grit with some of the world's best in a sport where heart, inspiration and dedication play a major role," he said.
The first stage on April 14 will cover 155 kilometers from Port Irene in Sta. Ana to Tuguegarao City. Stage Two, April 15, will be a 110-km ride from Tuguegarao to Cauayan City. The third stage on April 16 will be a 102-km journey to Bayombong.
After three days of sprints, the 85 cyclists representing 12 foreign and five local teams shift their focus and strength to maximum gear as they pedal on steep climbs on the Cordilleras toward Burnham Park via Benguet Province, a distance of 153 kms.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- The International Cycling Union (Union Cycliste Internationale, UCI) thumbed down the Southeast Asian Games Federation's appeal to allow the 12 Filipino riders to see action in the cycling competitions of the 25th Southeast Asian Games in Laos.
UCI president Pat McQuaid stood by his earlier decision affirming the recognition of the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (PhilCycling), which he made clear in his letter to Lao National Olympic Committee vice-president Kasem Inthara.
As it is, riders with licenses issued by UCI are the only ones allowed to compete in tournaments that are sanctioned by the world governing body for cycling like the SEA Games.
With the exception of Marites Bitbit, the rest of the cycling team belonging to a group recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), doesn’t have UCI-accredited licenses.
Cycling accounted for four gold medals in the last SEA Games in Nakhonratchasima, Thailand through Bitbit (individual road race), Joey Barba (men’s downhill), Alfie Catalan (individual pursuit) and Victor Espiritu (points race).
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Harry Angping lamented the misery suffered by the Filipino riders.
"This was a lost opportunity for the country," said Angping. "Sending a team that would inevitably be prohibited from competing was a waste of resources. We could have assembled and sent the best qualified and licensed riders who have the biggest chance of winning at least one or two gold medals in this event."
"Whenever the Philippines send its contingent abroad, we only send one team that is capable of representing and delivering gold medals for flag and country."
But the POC through sports and rules committee chairman Go Teng Kok insisted that McQuaid’s denial was in response to the SEA Games Federation’s Dec. 5 letter. He claimed the association sent another letter to the UCI two days later where it emphasized that everything is set and the 12 Filipino riders are ready do battle in Laos’ first-ever hosting of the Games.
At present, Go is in the middle of another round of meeting with the 11-man SEAG council, discussing the options left for the federation.
Aside from Bitbit, the squad, which spent around P5 million for its training exposure and other expenses for this SEA Games is composed of Catalan, Barba, Irish Valenzuela, Jan Paul Morales, Eusebio Quinones, Frederick Feliciano, March Aleonar, Alvin Benosa, Scott Remie, Anna Marissa Remigio, Julius Bonzo and Ronald Gorantes.
Incidentally, only Bitbit had been given the go-signal by the two warring group of cycling bodies to carry and compete for the country in the biennial meet.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- The fate of the 12-member Philippine cycling team to compete in the 25th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Vientiane, Laos now lies in the hands of the International Cycling Union (UCI), the world governing body for the sport.
On Monday, the entire Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) endorsed the country’s appeal to allow the 12 Filipino riders to compete in the biennial meet, giving a ray of hope that the Filipino riders will be able to see action in the biennial meet.
The appeal letter had already been sent to the UCI headquarters in Laussane, Switzerland and addressed to president Pat McQuiad, hoping that a decision be made before cycling competitions start on Dec. 10.
Members of the 12-man team are Irish Valenzuela, Alfie Catalan, Jan Paul Morales, Eusebio Quinones, Frederick Feliciano, Joey Barba, March McQuin Aleonar, Joey Barba, Marites Bitbit, Alvin Benosa, Scott Remie, Ana Marissa Remigio, Julius Mark Bonzo and Ronald Gorantes.
Go Teng Kok, head of the Philippine committee on rules and sports to the SEAG, threatened to make drastic action in the event the UCI turned down the appeal.
"Kapag hindi pumayag ang UCI, then I can say, something is cooking," said Go, who declared he’ll be going to file a case both to the SEAGF and Manila to declare McQuaid a persona non-grata, together with the other official whom the UCI recognized as president of the country’s cycling body.
"I hate to say it, but what they’re doing smacks of monkey business," added Go.
Two groups had been contesting the Philippine cycling leadership, one of which has the blessings of the UCI and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and the other, recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).
UCI had earlier declared only riders with duly-accredited licenses issued by the body would be allowed to participate in the SEA Games.
Of the 12, Bitbit is the only one that has the approval of both cycling groups.
Bitbit topped the women’s individual road race in the 24th SEA Games in Thailand two years ago, one of four gold medals the Filipino riders won along with those of Catalan (men’s individual pursuit), Barba (men’s downhill) and Victor Espiritu (men’s point race).
But Go believes the UCI will eventually relent to the SEAGF’s request and grant the RP team temporary licenses.
"Mahirap isa-walang bahala ang show of support ng 11 (SEAG) member countries, whose combined populace are all supporting the 25th SEA Games," Go said.
"Besides, the UCI should also support Laos, which is spending a lot of time, effort and money to host these games for the first time. Also, the UCI has this responsibility to its members and could do that by allowing cycling to go on here with the full compliment of able cyclists who all trained long and hard for these games."
Source: Rey Bancod, mb.com.ph
-- The Philippine delegation to the 25th Southeast Asian Games arrived Sunday amid last-minute efforts to save the participation of the 12-man cycling team here.
The main wave of athletes checked in at the SEA Games Village after touching down at the Wattay international airport aboard two chartered planes.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco and his party were among those who arrived aboard the POC-chartered plane.
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) leased another plane to bring in 153-funded athletes led by swimming superstar Miguel Molina, former world pool champions Efren “Bata” Reyes, Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano, shooting ace Nathaniel “Tac” Padilla, Olympic jins Toni Rivero and Tshomlee Go and the celebrated boxing team.
Conspicuously absent was PSC chairman Harry Angping whose earlier call for peace and unity went generally unheeded.
Despite the apparent POC snub, Angping announced a big package of incentives for athletes who bring home medals. He also raised the allowances of SEAG athletes.
Also in town are members of the cycling squad whose participation remains in doubt following a directive from the International Cycling Union (UCI) that effectively barred them from competing.
The UCI told organizers to honor only licenses signed by the group belonging to Tagaytay Mayor Abraham Tolentino.
The POC recognizes the faction of young businessman Mikee Romero who formed the team for the Games.
Romero, who also co-owns the Philippine Patriots in the Asean Basketball League (ABL), has gone on leave to attend to pressing business matters, prompting the POC to take up the cudgels for cycling.
After yielding negative results the past two days, athletics president Go Teng Kok, the POC’s chief troubleshooter, reported that he mustered the support of all member countries.
“We have agreed to request the UCI to grant temporary licenses to our cyclists. And this request is transmitted as we speak,” said Go.
Go said the SEAG council will convene Monday to ratify their action.
The POC certifies athletes that go to the Games while the UCI, through the Asian Cycling Federation, supervises the Games.
The cycling row brings to the fore the deep division in the sports community back home.
The POC and the PSC don’t see eye to eye on a number of issues, the conflict coming to a head with the absence of PSC personnel in the Games.
For the first time since bankrolling the country’s participation in major international meets, the PSC does not have a presence in the delegation.
The PSC, following the rigid guidelines set in consultation with RP chief of mission Mario Tanchangco, had earlier agreed to fund 153 athletes and denied POC’s request for the addition of 98 athletes.
As a result, the POC was forced to raise funds from the private sector.
Two sets of uniforms were given to athletes, one from the POC and the other from the PSC.
There were strict instructions to use only the POC-prescribed suits, according to one member of the water polo team.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- Road Bike Philippines-Seven Eleven riders experienced mixed fortunes in the third lap of the Tour de Indonesia 2009 Wednesday.
Lady luck smiled on Sherwin Diamsay and Victor Espiritu, who moved up from their respective spots in the overall individual classification. But misfortune hit teammate Tomas Martinez, who failed to finish the race due to severe leg cramps he suffered after having a flat tire midway through the 193K massed start race from Tasikmalaya.
Despite finishing only 34th in a big field of 63 riders composing the lead group that included lap winner Sedey Kudentsov of Poligon Sweet Nice Team of Russia, Diamsay climbed to 34th spot from his previous placing at 38th.
Former two-time RP Tour champion Espiritu, who checked in 60th in the lap, also made his upward trek in the standings, occupying 35th from 37th.
The two, together with lap winner Kudentsov, second placer Mehdi Sohrabi of Tabriz Petrochemical Team of Iran and third placer winner Fatillah Abdullah of Arayan Indonesia Team were given an identical clocking of three hours, 21 minutes and 24 seconds.
Also included in the group and awarded with identical time were Ronnel Hualda of LPMGA Cycling Club, the best Filipino finisher at 17th, his teammates Tots Tonido (22nd), Merculio Ramos (26th) Irish Valenzuela (39th) and Cruz Joven (41st) and Road Bike’s Lloyd Lucien Reynante (52nd).
After three stages, Sohrabi still held on to the top of the overall individual standings with an aggregate clocking of six hours, three minutes and three seconds, or one minute and 48 seconds ahead of Diamsay and Espiritu.
In the overall team classification, Sohrabi’s team Tabriz was still entrenched in the lead. Tarbiz held a one minute and 34 second advantage against ninth-running Road Bike Philippines and a one minute and 51 second edge against LPGMA Cycling Club, which stood at 14th.
