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Today marks the eighth and final leg of the 1,074.9-kilometer Great Revival of the Tour of Luzon with Kennon Road welcoming the surviving cyclists to a challenging all-uphill climb that leads to the Scout Hill section inside Camp John Hay, Baguio, to end the grueling bicycle race after stops in Paoay, Vigan, San Juan, Agoo, Clark and Lingayen.
Patrick (Pato) Gregorio, president of event organizer DuckWorld, said the Tour would never have gotten off the ground without the support and inspiration of sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan. “Big thank you, Boss MVP, for making the MPTC (Metro Pacific Tollways Corp.) Tour of Luzon happen and observing it every day as it passes through towns, cities and provinces,” said Gregorio. “Cycling, just like basketball, is the heart and soul of Philippine sports. Nakakatindig balahibo ang pagmamahal ng mga Pinoy sa cycling. People appreciate the passion and love for sports ni MVP.”
After only three legs, Gregorio said the Tour had already achieved several social media milestones. “First, 41.3 million views with the Tour of Luzon the most searched content and second, two million views of the current individual classification leader,” he said, expecting bigger numbers and more highlight milestones when the Tour winds up today.
The much-awaited climax is called the Queen Stage which will feature the Eagle of the Mountain award to the winner. “The cyclists will pedal 172.53 kilometers from Lingayen to the top-of-the-hill finish to determine who lifts the champions’ trophies,” said Gregorio. “Besides bringing the Tour back on the road, we are also giving the prestigious Eagle of the Mountain award which will go to whoever wins Stage Eight. It could all boil down to that final stage. Kennon Road will again play a major role in determining the champion in the last 32 kilometer grind with gradients that go beyond 20 percent.”
The team winner will receive P1 million and a year’s possession of the perpetual trophy. MVP recently sweetened the pot for the individual champion from P500,000 to P1 million. A uniquely-crafted trophy will be given to the general individual classification winner. MVP also raised the second prize from P400,000 to P500,000 and the third prize from P300,000 to P350,000. This was “in recognition of the patience, endurance and passion of the MPTC Tour of Luzon cyclists.”
Making the Tour more significant was the participation of 117 riders representing 17 teams, including four from overseas. “This is the first of revitalized efforts to put the Philippines back on the global cycling map,” said Gregorio. MPTC chief regulatory officer and Tour of Luzon executive director Arrey Perez said the excitement has bordered on the extreme in reviving the historic Tour of Luzon through the MVP Group’s advocacy to promote sports in all disciplines and at all levels.
