Limpag: Ronda Pilipinas hits Cebu

THIS could not have come at a better time. Cycling in Cebu, like running, is on the rise with more and more people taking up the hobby to help keep themselves fit or even to commute to work. Lately, I’ve seen bikes of all forms and sizes, those mini-folding bikes, old school bikes that have huge wheels, those latest expensive mountain bikes and even some that are built like a chopper.

Mike T. Limpag

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With this backdrop, I’m quite confident the Ronda Pilipinas--a cycling event that offers P1 million to the individual winner—will be quite a hit when it hits Cebu next week for Stage 4 and 5. The 16-stage race that covers more than 2,000 kilometers starts in Zamboanga City today, and we’re going to have our own Team Cebu to cheer for.

I’m not much of a cyclist, having sworn off biking after dislocating an elbow and missing a football tournament back in high school— but I remember following the Marlboro Tour when I was still learning how to write sports stories. I hope the local cycling community will support our Team Cebu and promising Cebuano rider John Mier, who’s riding with the national team.

Cebu will be represented by Warren Davadilla, one of the former winners of the Marlboro Tour, Bernard Luzon, Emelito Atilano, Reynato Sambrano and locals Marvin Tapic, Jaybop and Jhunvic Pagnanawon.

Stage 4 will start at the Plaza Indenpendcia on Jan. 17 and will have the riders going South, while Stage 5 will be start at Lapu-Lapu City Hall on Jan. 18 and will take the riders on a northern swing. It was supposed to start at the Provincial Capitol but the situation over there isn’t exactly conducive to sports.

So, mark your calendars for the two stages.

The Ronda Pilipinas Cebu swing, is actually just one of many major events that will hit Cebu this month.

There’s the Sinulog Football Cup, which attracted 178 teams, this weekend at the University of San Carlos and San Roque Parish football fields and of course, the round-of-16 match between Cebu Queen City United and Pachanga in the PFF Smart Club Championships today at 3 p.m. at the Aboitiz Sports Field.

And whether you’re a fan of Cebu Queen City or Pachanga, you should take this rare opportunity and cheer for your team.

And of course, tomorrow, there’s the 4th Cebu Marathon, the biggest running event in Cebu and one of the prestigious races in the country. You need not be a participant to enjoy the race, just watch the elite runners and weekend warriors battle for their personal rewards. (And if you’re a motorist, don’t forget, some roads will be closed.)

For those who are into races of the more thrilling kind, there’s an international motocross event that will be held at the South Road Properties on Jan. 26 and 27.

Aside from the best Pinoy riders, this event will also have 10 foreign entries.

(www.cebufootball.blogspot.com)