Plans to build new velodrome gain boost from world cycling

By Peter Atencio

Philippine Olympic Committee president and Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said this after returning recently from a meeting of the Asian Cycling Confederation Congress in Bali, Indonesia.

While in Indonesia, Tolentino talked to UCI president David Lappartient and other top UCI officials about the construction of a modern velodrome while in Bali.

The one being planned in the Philippines can be built in either Tagaytay City or New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

The budget of building a new one could reach a staggering P1.5 billion.

The UCI will provide the design of the velodrome so that it will surely be up to world-class standards.

“They (UCI) will help with technical matters and supplies. For instance, the wood used, is Siberian wood,” added Tolentino.

“The velodrome in the Philippines is more than 50 years old. Obsolete na siya,” said Tolentino, who is also the mayor of Tagaytay City, in an inter- view with the Manila Standard during a meeting of the Athletes’ Commission at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.

Because of this, preparing and training national athletes at the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City are no longer advisable. That’s because condition of the 5.8-hectare facility for more than 10 years, is no longer up to international standards.

Tolentino explained that the standard length of a velodrome now stands at 250 meters and no longer 350 meters, which is the size of the Amoranto facility.

The last time that the velodrome was seriously used for competition was back in the 2013, when the POC-PSC Philippine National Games were held.

The complex, which was inaugurated in 1966 by then President Ferdinand Mar- cos, was used back in 2005 as one of the venues for the Southeast Asian Games.

It was last used seven years ago, when national cyclists were still quartered inside the sports complex, but rarely got a chance to practice in the steeply banked oval tracks.

Track cycling in the Olympics features five events—team sprint, keirin, sprint, team pursuit and omnium— which offer a combined 10 gold medals both for men and women.

The 57-year-old velodrome inside the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City is the only venue in the country where track cyclists can hone their racing skills at the moment.

Last year, the Quezon City government began work on the renovation and construction of new facilities at the Complex.

For sure, it will be a question of length with the softened, hilly par-72 Island course that weaves through old trees expected to play longer with a forecast of another rainy week in the island state. It will also be about iron play and the ability to set up birdie chances on the receptive greens and make them.

After losing in the countback for the bronze in Queen Sirikit, Malixi buckled down to work and shuttled to and from two tough courses to polish her craft while keeping herself fit and in shape.

“I’ve been training at Royal Northwoods (in Bulacan) and at The Country Club (Laguna), so it was more practicing more under gusty conditions. I’ve also had my fitness sessions with my conditioning coach,” she said.

Emerging stars from the As-Pac region make up the 85-player field, all primed up for a four-day test of ball-striking with emphasis also on mental toughness with the weather likely to be a big factor the way it was in last week’s LPGA Tour’s Women’s World Championship marred by a number of rain delays and suspension due to threats of lightning.

But winning the championship and mirroring the exploits of Thai Atthaya Thitikul, who topped the inaugural staging in 2018 at nearby Sentosa Golf Club and went on to gain the world No. 1 ranking in one stretch last year, will be more than enough motivation for this crack set of bidders from 22 countries.

PhilCycling women’s road team joins Vietnam race

A 10-MEMBER women’s team of the PhilCycling arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday morning for the 13th Biwase Cup—a 10-stage women’s road race that Vietnam hosts annually in celebration of the International Women’s Day.

THE Philippine College of Criminology squad pushed themselves to the limit to defuse Electron College, 82-75, in the opening game of the National Universities and Colleges Athletic Association recently at San Juan Gymnasium in San Juan City.

The Warriors from Novaliches, Quezon City, composed of young electronic student athletes, waxed hot in the early goings using speed, sticky defense and fluid offense, ignited by team triggerman Raymond Basilio to keep the powerhouse Serpent Eagles from Sta. Cruz in Manila at bay as they trailed majority of first two quarters.

The Criminologists, who came to the NUCAA warzone fully armed, however, flexed their muscles in the final half and grabbed the momentum, 42-37, in the first minute of the third, highlighted by treys from gunners Medrilic Loresto and Paul Bradley Villareal.

PCCr’s onslaught peppered the Warriors of Engr. Dennis Solis in the payoff period as it built a commanding lead, 69-52, with 8:24 remaining in the game.

Electron College put up a last-ditch resistance, but it was not enough to pull off a surprise against the superior troop of athletic director Gene Tumapat, who dedicated the victory to the Bautista clan of the country’s pioneer Criminology institution.

“May konting jitters lang sa simula pero nu’ng makuha na ang rhythm ng laro, ‘di na pinakawalan ng mga bata ang panalo,” said Tumapat. “The young team (Electron) is really a hard nut to crack”.

The team is composed of five members of the national women’s team and two other riders who subbed for national athletes who couldn’t join the race because of school duties.

“The goal is for our women’s team to get at least one foreign exposure ahead of the Southeast Asian Games,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, also head of the PhilCycling.

The team is composed of national athletes Mathilda Krog, Kate Yasmin Velasco, Avegail Rombaon, Marianne Dacumos and Mhay Ann Lina and additions Jelsie Sabado and Maura de los Reyes.

Marita Lucas, Alfie Catalan and Joey de los Reyes are coaching the team supported by the POC, Philippine Sports Commission, Tagaytay City, MVP Sports Foundation, Standard Insurance, Excellent Noodles and 7-Eleven.

The race starts Wednesday—right on the global celebration of the International Women’s Day—with a 66-km criterium around Binh Duong New City.

The race organized by the Vietnam Cycling Federation covers 1,101 kms and ends on March 17.

After this pre-Cambodia 32ND SEA Games prep race in Vietnam, the entire national team will head to training camp for both the road and mountain bike disciplines.

The race will be livestreamed on https://www.facebook.com/vcfchannel/ posts/pfbid0JWL3EfCcczQdEMuN7aZTHTpnDKxn8QG2dB7Y8Ur9VwC7NLw8yYkS8zKTxEWA54bcl.