Vision for a World Class League
The organizers of the CSI admits that the cycling sport in the Philippines is still very young compared to the level of other Asian countries. The continuous development of riders and better organization of races are still very much needed for the improvement of the quality of competitions in the country.
This has been the working mission behind CSI. According to Mr. Carlos professionally categorized and regular races are lacking in the Philippine Cycling Sport. He envisioned cycling to be not just another fiesta competition or a street sport but a "league" that has established local and national calendar of events yearly. This becoming so, will give our riders fair advantage in tours outside the country and ultimately a participation in World Championship and the Tour de France. He has strong faith that the skills of the Filipino pedal pushers can eventually lead them to finish a race in the Tour de France if only these aims are achieved.
Mr. Carlos is also looking at the other benefits of cycling, not just a sport but a discipline that can be utilize for personal and economical development.
"Cycling is very helpful in achieving a healthy lifestyle aside from the fact that it also helps in the preservation of the environment", added Mr. Carlos. He also said that biking is a very good solution to the escalating fuel prices, especially is biking lanes will be available to all national highways.
Mr. Ric Rodriguez, Race Director of the CSI, shares the same optimism. A respected personality in the cycling circle and also director of the on-going Phil-Chi Cycling Tournament, Mr. Rodriguez believes that Filipino skippers are at par with international riders, not necessarily in physical attributes but in the skills and speed and strategies. He stressed that the topography of the Philippines, consisting of a combination of mountains, beaches, paved and rough roads are perfect training ground for our riders. Familiarization with different terrains is one of the most essential ability of cyclists since it helps them plan strategies in staggering their bikes with particular road form.
Mr. Rodriguez said that one of the major missions of the CSI is to professionalize the cycling sport in the Philippines. This goal, he added, will be achieved first and foremost by practicing proper discipline not just of the riders but also of their coaches and team managers. In the press conference held a week before the race proper, Mr. Rodriguez appeals to the teams to observe punctuality and consistency especially with team members.
"The participation of different cycling organizations like the UCAP, Phil Cycling, the Padyak Pinoy and the National Team in CSI legs is a positive sign that the cycling sport in taking a unified step into professionalism", added Mr. Rodriguez. The increasing number of amateur participants and spectators, on the other hand, is an indication of the growing popularity of cycling and hopefully encourages sponsors and advertisers to see the value of the sport as an avenue for promoting their products.
Not Just a Man's Game
One of the highlight of the event is the participation of an all women team of David Salon. The team's captain, Bing Alto, places third in the Elite Men and Women Category overtaking almost a hundred men and beating a couple of her team-mates.
"Carrying yourself in a speed like this without engine and without gasoline gives me a different kind of high," says Bing of her sport and her victory. According to her, the Team David Salon wanted to prove that it is possible for women to excel in a male-dominated sport like cycling. One must only possess the determination and the courage to face speeding bicycles on the fast lane.
Another Team David Salon member, a mother and a housewife, Marita Lucas, says that joining the cycling events not only affirms the empowerment of the modern women; it also gives her another level of self confidence. Despite the conflict with her maternal duties, Lucas says that through the support of her husband, who takes care of the young children whenever she's speeding on the cycling track, she can continue her training and eventually join more professional competitions.
Bing, along with the rest of the Team David Salon also welcomes other women to try out the cycling game and train with them.
Avenue for Dreams
"Gusto ko din makasali ng Tour de France pero syempre kelangan magpractice ng mabuti saka disiplina", shares 18-year old Stephen Romaquin, 1st prize winner of the Elite Category when asked about his ultimate goal in cycling. A rider of almost 8 years, Stephen, or Balong to his friends and families started joining cycling races when he was 10 years old under the training of his father, Czar Romaquin, a cyclist himself. Knowing the value of discipline and hard work at a very young age, Balong combines these principles with his skills making him the grand champion of the 2nd CSI Youth Category at a young age of 16 years old. A member of the Excellent Jonchi Team, he has also participated and won several awards in different cycling competitions. Climbing the bumpy and steep roadway from his house in Concepcion Marikina to Antipolo, every morning, Balong vows to follow the footstep of his idol, Lance Armstrong, the most popular cycling champion in the world.
