LINGAYEN, Pangasinan–The province of Pangasinan has been chosen to host the third stage (finish) and fourth stage (start) of the 9th edition of the Le Tour De Filipinas on Tuesday (May 22) and Wednesday (May 23).
Provincial Information Officer Butch Velasco, in an interview Monday, said over hundreds of foreign and local cycling teams are anticipated to join this international race challenge.
“The stage 3 will start from Bambang, Nueva Viscaya at 9:00 a.m and will end at Mendoza St., Libsong Entrance in Lingayen, Pangasinan on May 22. It is anticipated that the cyclists will cross the finish line at around 1:00 p.m.,” Velasco said.
He added that gun start for the last stage of the race from Pangasinan to Baguio City will be on May 23 at the Capitol Plaza at 8:00 a.m.
The 9th edition of the Le Tour de Filipinas started its stage 1 on May 20 at Quezon City to Palayan City Nueva Ecija, followed by stage 2 on Monday at Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija to Bayombong Nueva Vizcaya.
There are 16 competing teams from the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea, Mongolia, China, Australia, Iran and Malaysia.
Le Tour de Filipinas winners in stage 2 are Oranza Ronald (1st), Jung Hajeon (2nd) and Eyob Metkel (3rd), while Jan Paul Morales has been adjudged Sprinter of the Day and Daniel Van Carino as Best Young Rider according to its official website. (Hilda Austria/PNA)