Le Tour de Filipinas offers different challenge, reverses route

Le Tour De Filipinas press launch.

For the second straight year, Le Tour de Filipinas will be staged in the Bicol region for its 8th edition unfolding next month.

But unlike last year, which was ruled by Oleg Zemlyakov of Kazakhstan, the route will begin in Legazpi City on Feb. 18 with the majestic Mayon Volcano as the centerpiece of the 164.5 kilometer ride to Sorsogon.

“This is a banner tour for the Philippines. We are so proud to be able to host it for the international community,” said Le Tour de Filipinas president Donna Lina during a press launch at Palacio de Manila Tuesday. “We are back in Legazpi. For the cyclists, it’s a familiar [course] yet unfamiliar and it will be a different challenge.”

“For the eighth edition, we decided to reverse the route from south to north. The route is more technical this time because of the gradual upward gradient from Sorsogon to Lucena City,” Lina said.

The second stage is a 177.4 km trek from Sorsogon to Naga City, then another 177.4 km from Naga to Daet, Camarines Norte.

This year’s event will culminate with a grueling 207.4 km stretch from Daet to Lucena, which will be highlighted by a Category 2 climb over Atimonan’s Tatlong Eme, another scenic landmark in Quezon.

There are a total of 75 cyclists representing 15 teams. The Philippines will be represented by 7-Eleven and the national team.

“This is hometown so we’re banking on home court advantage. I’m very confident with our national team. We’re hoping to see them at the podium.

Zemlyakov and his Vino Forever Team won’t be returning to defend the general classification crown with the Kazakh already on a higher UCI Road ladder after winning last year’s edition.