MPTC revives a 14-stage Tour of Luzon 26: Heritage in Motion

THE dream of a Filipino racing in the Tour de France lives on.

“The reason cycling is one of the most popular sporting events in the country is because it reaches mostly the poorest,” said Manny V. Pangilinan, who chairs the MVP Group of Companies during Monday’s MPTC Tour of Luzon (ToL) 26: Heritage in Motion launch at the Meralco main office in Pasig.

“I think it’s an excellent sport and my goal and dream is to have a Filipino biker compete in the Tour de France,” he added.

That someone could come from this batch of participants seeing action in the second year of the fabled race’s revival, a 14-stage event slated April 28 to May 13 that will unfurl in Calatagan, Batangas and conclude in Baguio.

Around 20 teams or 150 cyclists are expected to participate in the event that stakes a total cash pot of more than P12 million, P2 million of which goes to the overall team champion and another P1 million to the individual winner.

As promised, this year’s edition is bigger than the last one when it held an eight-stage race.

This one will cover a total distance of 1,900 kilometers from 60 cities and municipalities from 13 provinces with stops in Calatagan, Tagaytay, Palayan City in Nueva Ecija, Bayombong in Tuguegarao, Pagudpud, Paoay and Laoag in Ilocos Norte, Candon, Ilocos Sur, San Juan in La Union, Lingayen in Pangasinan before that final stop in Baguio mountains.

“We approach kilometer zero with renewed resolve,” said Arrey Perez, chief executive officer (CEO) of the organizing ToL 2026.

For Patrick C. Gregorio, who founded the Tour of Luzon’s revival before becoming Philippine Sports Commission chair late last year, it was a mortal sin not to stage a reprise.

“It’s not just a comeback story, it’s nation building on two wheels and that’s very important,” said Mr. Gregorio. “This is a promise we gave last year that we have to fulfill. So to all athletes, train well, province to shine and sponsors to make magic.”

“Let’s make the nation smile.”

Also present were Gilbert Santa Maria, president and CEO of the MPTC that took the cudgels of financing the summer biking spectacle, and technical director and head of commissaire Jun Lomibao. — Joey Villar