THE PAST meets the future when Olympian Daniel Caluag and upcoming Patrick Coo spearhead the country’s campaign in the Asian BMX Racing and Freestyle Championships set July 15 and 16 in Tagaytay City.

The 36-year-old Mr. Caluag is a London Olympian and a 2014 Incheon Asian Games gold medalist while Mr. Coo, who will turn 21 on March 20, is an Asian Junior champion who is aspiring to also make a name in the sport like the former and qualify to next year’s Paris Games.

The two will be at the forefront of the country’s bid to rule the event that is expected draw participation from majority of the 45-country Asian Cycling Confederation, which has looked forward to the country’s breakthrough hosting the BMX tilt.

“Our hosting of the Asian BMX championships warmly welcomed by the delegates and in turn, we in PhilCycling will return the favor by warmly and festively welcoming them back come July,” said PhilCycling Chief Abraham Tolentino after recently attending the ACC Congress in Bali, Indonesia.

PhilCycling Secretary-General Atty. Billy Sumagui accompanied the Philippine Olympic Committee president in the event that was also graced by International Cycling Union (UCI) Head David Lappartient and ACC President Osama Ahmed Abdullah Al Shafar.

The Philippines has hosted several Asian road and mountain bike championships, but this would be the first continental event at the UCI-standard and world-class BMX track in Tagaytay City, which also served as the venue to the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

“Just like in our previous hosting of Asian cycling championships in road and MTB, we’ll put our best foot forward in these BMX championships,” said Mr. Tolentino. “After these continental championships, we intend to host other regional and international races on the track.” — Joey Villar

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