Two years ago, I got to watch some of the races in Nuvali Dirt Weekend 2011. It was an exciting event to see young and young-at-heart bikers perform stunts and compete for places while obviously having fun.
This coming weekend, cycling enthusiasts are setting their sights once more on a weekend of adventure during the Dirt Weekend Invitational happening from April 26 to 28 in Nuvali, a beautiful community in Laguna that's only 46 kilometers south of Metro Manila.
The event is a preview for the widely-anticipated annual Dirt Weekend in November. During the press con held at Skinny Mike's in Bonifacio Global City, organizers hinted of greater things that await the cycling community as it introduces a sanctioned race on the upcoming invitational cycling spectacle. The two-day competition will feature Cross Country (XCO / XCR) and Four Cross events.
Biking enthusiasts are encouraged to brace themselves for the future standard of cycling events in the country as Nuvali's flagship outdoor cycling event earns a professional badge this season. The premier sports venue, together with the organizers, sought to define the future of professional cycling competitions from the Switzerland-based world governing body Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and national federation Integrated Cycling Confederation of the Philippines (Philcycling).
Atty. Avelino Sumagui, Philcycling's Secretary General, assures enthusiasts that the Dirt Weekend is one way to enter the National Bikers' list. All participating cyclists are required to secure the national federation's license since the competition will be monitored by local and foreign federation representatives. Expected UCI commissaries to judge the competition are Beatrice Lajawa of Malaysia and Oscar Rodriguez of the Philippines.
Event organizer Athena Mendoza shared that cyclists only have to pay P150 for the UCI cycling license while an entry fee of P500 per rider will include a kit with a jersey and food stub. Acknowledging Nuvali's environmental protection advocacy, she further announced that they encourage riders to bring their own water bottles or hand in disposable bottles at the water stations along the race routes.
Mr. Jun Bisnar, VP of Ayala Land, Inc., reiterated Nuvali's commitment to promoting healthy living and sports as the 1,860-hectare Ayala Land development continues to live up as an eco-community where business and recreation meet. Moreover, he enumerated the benefits of going biking instead of using other modes of transportation. "Biking minimizes the poisonous gasses emitted by cars. At Nuvali, we provide bike parking facilities and bikes for rent to encourage everyone to go biking."
Local squads such as Bikeworx, Sabak, Potato Corner, Yellow Cab, KTM, John Wilkie, EXO (Executive Off-Road Cycling Association), Cycleline (Mindanao), and Prima / Isuzu D-Max are expected to participate. In addition, some high profile members of the current and former national team joining the weekend competition are Eusebio Quinones, March Aleonar, Frederick Feliciano, and Alvin Benosa.
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