Rich Tour of CamSur kicks off tomorrow

Alfredo Asuncion (10) of MileAge and 7-11’s Lloyd Reynante are two more riders to watch in the race.

MANILA—A total of P5 million is at stake when the 1,000-kilometer Tour of CamSur 2011 pedals off tomorrow at the SM Mall of Asia grounds.

The race, which ends on the 29th in the famous watersports complex in Pili, Camarines Sur, will run through the coastlines and winding mountain trails of Southern Luzon.

Leading the expected field of 100 riders is Southeast Asian Games bronze winner John Paul Morales.

Organized by FIT+ Inc. in cooperation with Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund “Lray” Villafuerte’s Youth and Sports Development Program, the race is expected to also showcase the region’s best tourist spots.

The event  will serve as highlight of this year’s Kaogma Festival, the Bicol Region’s most-awaited annual activity coinciding with CamSur’s founding anniversary.

There will also be side events like sports competition, cooking and dancing contests. The event is also supported by Toyota, with Philippine Daily Inquirer as media partner.

For the first time in the event’s 13-year history, cyclists will traverse from the starting point in Manila the Southern Luzon regions of Lipa, Batangas, Lucena, Calauag, Daet, Sipocot, Naga, Pili, Iriga, Ligao, and Tabaco.

For more information, log on to www.philippinecyclingnews.com and www.camsur.com.

The bikefest will likewise feature a special division for age-group amateur teams, which will cover selected sections totaling 500 kilometers in five key road stages, including a ride around scenic Mayon Volcano.