THE tough uphill Baguio roads has always been the deciding factor for the cycling and will once again test the mettle of the riders in the 9th stage of the Ronda Pilipinas International 2014 on February 10.
With almost 100 bikers both from the local and international teams, the Summer Capital will once again bring challenge to 14 different squads entering the city as they hit the taxing motorway of Kennon Road.
Ronda Pilipinas International race director Ric Rodriguez said during a press conference that Baguio still proves as one of the most challenging stage for Ronda Pilipinas since it started back in 2011.
"We at Ronda Pilipinas always have considered the roads of Bagiuo to be the most challenging stage in all the legs held every year," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez also mentioned the significance of the city in the objective of the event.
"One of the goals of Ronda is to elevate the challenge to its competitors and to challenge means to keep an uphill race to really push each of them to their limits," said Rodriguez.
"When we say Baguio, talagang kasama na iyan sa mapping ng bike races sa Pilipinas ever since nagkaroon nito dito," Rodriguez added.
City administrator Carlos Canilao said the city will be ready to the swarm of visitors during the annual sports event.
"We are actually more excited than the sponsors themselves," said Canilao.
Canilao added the city is in the utmost supporter of the Ronda Pilipinas which is now on its fourth year.
"We don't just look upon the tourism benefits the event has to offer but also the promotion of using bicycles as a mode of transport and conservation of physical health," Canilao quipped.
BCPO Deputy Director PSupt Elvio Degay said the police forces will also upkeep the necessary traffic aid in time for the event.
"Rest assured the traffic policemen will be keeping a close eye to the roads to make it safe for Ronda Pilipinas International," Degay quipped.
Foreign teams will be joined by the Global Cycling Team from Holland, Malaysian national team, Matrix Powertag team from Japan, Chinese Taipei's Team Gusto, Uzbekistan's national team, Iran's Ayandeh Continental Team and Korea's Cycling Team.
Local squads line-up are the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy Standard Insurance, Roadbike Philippines, Team PLDT, Team 7-Eleven, Team Cebu and Team Mindanao Cycleline Butuan to carry the flag for the country.
The 14 leg race will have a total of 7.6 million pesos cash prize at stake, backed by LBC, MVP Sports Foundation, Maynilad, PLDT and Mitsubishi.