Cycling gets own velodrome in Tagaytay

Team Philippines is about to have its own state-of-the-art velodrome again, one that its national cyclists can use to reclaim international dominance.

As part of the Philippine Olympic Committee’s thrust to have the country become the cycling power in the region that it was for two decades since the 1980s, the indoor track facility that will conform to International Cycling Union standards will be unveiled in Tagaytay later this month.

“It’s a dream, not only to make Tagaytay City a cycling and sports hub, but to help bring back the [cycling] glory the Philippines enjoyed in the past,” said POC president Bambol Tolentino.

Once a power

Team Philippines was once a track cycling power in Southeast Asia when the Amoranto Velodrome in Quezon City, the lone outdoor cycling track back then, was in fine shape.

It began to deteriorate 20 years ago after the velodrome hosted the track races of the 2005 Philippines Southeast Asian Games.

Track cycling easily dangles the most number of gold medals in major international races with 12, especially in the Asian Games and the Olympics.

With the inauguration of a new velodrome as part of the Tagaytay City Foundation Anniversary celebrations, the Philippines now belongs to the list of Asian countries with such a facility, joining Japan, China, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

“Pardon the pun, but we’re on the right track,’’ added the outgoing Tagaytay City mayor.