Cycling fever grips Luzon and beyond

ToL invades Ilocos roads in brutal 190km opener

- By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA

The Tour of Luzon, one of the country's most fabled summer sports spectacles, returns to the road on Thursday, April 24, with a total of 119 cyclists from 17 local and foreign teams embarking on a thrilling eight-stage race.

The first stage is set to start at 8 a.m. in front of the breathtaking San Agustin Church of Paoay, a world heritage site, with riders expected to traverse 190.7 kilometers passing through quaint local towns of Pasuquin, Bangui and Burgos, all the way back to Marcos Avenue.

Standard Insurance Philippines remains one of the teams to look out for in this race dubbed as "The Great Revival" after being shelved in 2019, owing to its talent-laden veteran squad composed of notable riders in Ronald Oranza, George Oconer, Ronald Lomotos, Jan Paul Morales, Junrey Navarra, Jeremy Lizardo and Dave Cangayao.