1st Kopiko Cycling Circuit to showcase aspiring cyclists

ASPIRING cyclists will have a chance to strut their wares when the 1st Kopiko Cycling Circuit blasts off on May 9, starting and finishing at the Lantaw Restaurant at the South Road Properties.

In yesterday’s press briefing at Lantaw, Ames Urgel of  Cycling Project Proponent announced that Kopiko headed by Jovanni Uy, has thrown its support behind the event after backing several motocross tournaments.

“Kopiko found out the need for Cebu City to discover new blood in cycling as our top cyclists are not getting any younger. If ever we discover potentials, they will be trained to represent Cebu City in future major road races just like the Ronda

Pilipinas and others,” said Urgel, who was joined in the press briefing by Boy Rabasol, president of co-organizer Sugbo Bikers, Sugbo Bikers vice president Andot Sabal, Sugbo Bikers auditor Bob Pangilinan and Sugbo Bikers peace officer Ronnel Juezan.

Urgel said there are potential talents in cycling Cebu and exposure is all that is  needed  so they can  develop their strengths.

The race will be held in four Saturdays starting on May 9 then on May 17, 23 and 30.

The May 17 race, according to Urgel, will be dedicated to mountainbike racing at the Boy Scouts Camp in Beverly Hills, barangay Lahug since the original route will be used for another activity on that day.

Tournament director Joe Deresas, who was also in the forum alongside race officials Ricky Romales, Jun Filisopo and Jude Paras, explained that the circuit is a point-to-point race which means there will be no time involved but only points for the riders.

Earned points will be compiled and after the last race day, will be totaled to determine the overall winner of the circuit.

Four categories will be featured in the race; the Open Category, Category C, Golden Category and the Huna-Huna ra’y Gadako (HG) Category.

In the HG category, qualification of the riders will be determined through their physical conditioning.

Leg champion will be awarded with 10 points. Second  placer will get seven points, third placer gets  5 points, fourth placer has  3 points and fifth placer 2 points. Non-top five finishers will each get one point.

Champions in the weekly competition in all categories will receive P2,000, while second and third-placers will pocket P1,500 and P1,000, respectively.

The fourth to 10th placers will take home P500.

Overall champion, on the other hand, will pocket P3,000 while second-placer will bring home P2,000. Third-placer will receive P1,000, while the fourth to 10th-placers will get P500 each.

More than a hundred cyclists have already registered with the organizers expecting the participation of Cebu’s top riders Jaybop Pagnanawon, Nino Surban, Jhunvie Pagnananwon, Elmer Navarro, Marvin Tapic and John Rene Mier.