Floods force teams to back out

FROM 15, only nine teams will be joining the 439.5-kilometers road bike race of the Cebu Challenge Cycling Classic, which begins today at the Sugbo Building, South Road Properties.

Several teams from Manila backed out at the last minute due to the non-stop raining in Luzon.

Today at 8 a.m., an Individual Time Trial (ITT) will usher in the four-day event.

The second leg will be a 101.7K race from the Cebu Capitol Grounds to Bogo City.

According to race director David Odilao Jr., they are thankful to the racers who still joined despite competing in the taxing Ironman 70.3 last Sunday.

“We are very thankful for the great support given to us by our country’s cyclists,” said Odilao.

Also, in light with the casualty in the Ironman 70.3, where a cyclist died racing, Odilao said they made sure all participants are physically fit and they have enough medical personel available before, during and after the race.

“We have the Red Cross, the Eruf and other medical personnels that will conduct check-ups among the riders before they start to race,” Odilao said.

Those who will be joining are 2003 Tour Filipinas champion Arnel Quirimit of Mangaldan Pangasinan Cycling team along with teammates 2012 Le Tour de Filipinas champion Baler Ravina, Tour Jakarta champions’ Irish Valenzuela, Chris Joven and Cebuano Niño Surban.