THE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) on Wednesday threw its full support to the MPTC Tour of Luzon that is unfurling on April 29 in Calatagan, Batangas and culminating on May 14 in Baguio City.
“The PSC supports the conduct of the MPTC Tour of Luzon 2026 as an activity aligned with the objectives of the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee (NST-IAC),” said Patrick C. Gregorio, who chairs both the PSC and NST-IAC.
“The PSC likewise recognizes the significance of the event in providing opportunities for athlete participation and in contributing to the continued development of Philippine sports,” he added.
A total of nine local teams and at least six foreign squads, headed by Seoul, South Korea, will be competing not just the honor of becoming the champion of the second edition of the Tour’s revival but also the top purses worth P1 million and P2 million to the individual and team champion, respectively.
There are three more overseas teams have pending applications in this 14-stage race bankrolled by the PSC, Manuel V. Pangilinan group of companies including title sponsor MPTC and sanctioned by PhilCycling under its president Abraham Tolentino.
“Our athletes cannot be deprived of their dreams, let sports continue,” said Mr. Gregorio.
Stage 1 on April 29 of the MPTC Tour of Luzon will be from CaSoBe (Calatagan) to Tagaytay City, Stage 2 is a team time trial from Clark Parade Grounds to New Clark City, Stage 3 from New Clark City to Palayan City, Stage 4 from Palayan City to Bayombong, Stage 5 from Santiago City to Tuguegarao City, Stage 6 from Tuguegarao City to Pagudpud and Stage 7 in Pagudpud-Pagudpud, the first of two individual time trial (ITT) races.
The rest day will be in Pagudpud on May 6 with Stage 8 set the next day from Pagudpud to Paoay, Stage 9 from Laoag City to Candon City, Stage 10 from Candon City to a first-ever Tour finish on Bessang Pass, Stage 11 from Candon City to San Juan in La Union, Stage 12 from Agoo to Daang Kalikasan in Mangatarem, Stage 13 is an ITT on the Baywalk in Lingayen and Binmaley in Pangasinan and the final Stage 14 will be from Lingayen to Scout Hill at John Hay Hotels in Baguio City. — Joey Villar
