MEMBERS of the 45-country Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) looked forward to the country’s first-time hosting of the Asian BMX (Racing and Freestyle) Championships in Tagaytay City on July 15 and 16.
The ACC members’ enthusiasm was relayed to Philippine Olympic Committee and PhilCycling President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino at the close of the ACC Congress on Thursday at The Stones Hotel in Bali, Indonesia.
Tolentino said that not only were the ACC member countries who are enthusiastic about the BMX championships in Tagaytay, but also International Cycling Union (UCI) president David Lappartient and ACC president Osama Ahmed Abdullah Al Shafar of the United Arab Emirates.
“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 Tolentino, who was accompanied in the congress by PhilCycling secretary-general Atty. Billy Sumagui.
The Philippines has hosted several Asian road and mountainbike championships, but this would be the first continental event at the UCI-standard and world-class BMX track in Tagaytay City.
The track first hosted the 2019 30th Southeast Asian Games. It the country’s one-and-only UCI BMX track and the only one in Asia with a roof.
“Just like in our previous hosting of Asian cycling championships in road and MTB, we’ll put out best foot forward in these BMX championships,” said Tolentino, who was named ACC honorary vice president. “After these continental championships, we intend to host other regional and international races on the track.”
Expected to lead the country’s campaign in the July championships are London Olympian Daniel Caluag, the solo Philippine gold medalist at the Incheon 2014 Asian Games, and Patrick Coo, a former Asian juniors champion.
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