Tolentino: Cycling ‘on the right track’ with new velodrome
TAGAYTAY CITY—Ronald Oranza scooted around the sparkling new Tagaytay CT Velodrome like a kid excited to take his new bike out for a spin.
And why not? The multiple road race champion has found a new playground, far from Oranza’s usual outdoor rides, where he is constantly exposed to the elements.
“Here, the environment is controlled. What will matter most are skill and talent once you race on the track,” said Oranza after his inaugural ride on Monday that formally opened the first and only indoor cycling track in the country.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino unveiled the facility of International Cycling Union standard that coincided with the Olympic Day celebration graced by Asian Cycling Confederation president Dato Amarjit Singh Gill of Malaysia, top POC officials and national sports association heads.
“I dreamed of this for almost 20 years. Now, it has become a reality,” said Tolentino, who also distributed the financial assistance from the International Olympic Committee to Filipino elite athletes chosen as Olympic Solidarity scholars.
Track cycling has hardly been considered a medal event for the Philippines due to the absence of a velodrome where Filipino riders can routinely race.
Team Philippines was once a track cycling power in Southeast Asia in the 80s and 90s 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 typically dangles 12 gold medals in major international races like the Asian Games and the Olympics.
“It will give us the opportunity to produce track cyclists who can win medals in big international competitions,” said Tolentino.
The Philippines now belongs to the list of Asian countries with such a facility, along with Japan, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
Canadian company Junek Velodrome built the 250-meter wooden track with a 7.1-meter width, with steep embankments on each end, designed to provide optimal conditions for high-speed cycling.
Peter Junek, the Canadian firm’s owner, is one of only three designers in the world recognized by the UCI.
Singh Gill announced that the first major competition on the new velodrome is next year’s Asian Cycling Championships from March 25 to March 31.
“Building this velodrome will accelerate our dream of developing more track cyclists,” said Tolentino.
“Pardon the pun, but we’re on the right track,” added the outgoing Tagaytay City mayor.
