BONTOC, Mountain Province– The launch edition of the Tour De Mountain Province (TDMP), the first-ever cross country bike race to be held in this province, is finally set for December 28, 2018 with at least 200 cyclists expected to participate.
Organized by the Mountain Province Athletic Team (Team MATE), Green Bikers Club, Inc. (GBCI), and the Philippine Red Cross – Mountain Province Chapter (PRC-MP), TDMP offers a high altitude road course that cuts across the capital town of Bontoc and the western municipalities of Sagada, Besao, Tadian, Bauko and Sabangan.
The Bontoc Municipal Capitol will serve as the starting point and finish line of the race which dashes the Dantay-Sagada-Nacawang-Abatan-Nacagang-Bontoc circumferential road with a total distance of 100 kilometers.
TDMP Race Director Billy Regaspi Jr. stated that the road course features difficult sections such as tough climbs, fast descents, and technical surfaces of gravel and dirt roads. “The first seven kilometres of the race is considered a warm up ride along a flatter terrain to Dantay before the initial uphill sprint challenge to Lake Danum where the faster racers try to break away from the peloton”, he said.
But the true test of the racers’ endurance according to Regaspi is the rough 7-kilometer downhill drive from Nacawang to Sumadel followed by an 11-kilometer massive elevation gain (MASL) to the highest point in Poblacion, Tadian. From there, the route becomes moderate and rolling for the final sprint to the finish line.
“The racers must also brace themselves for the chilly temperature prevailing in the province during that time of the year and probable crosswinds especially in the highland towns of Sagada, Besao and Bauko”, Regaspi added.
The TDMP cross country race division is divided into six categories namely: Male and Female open category, Male and Female – Junior 17 years and below, Male and Female – 18-30 years old, Male and Female – 31-45 years old, and Male and Female – 46 years old and above. A special Bigman category for males with a minimum weight of 85 kilograms is also included.
The top 3 male and female bikers in in the overall category will receive a trophy, cash and gift pack while the top 3 males and females in the age categories will receive a trophy and gift pack. Special awards will also be given to individuals and teams for exceptional performances.
TDMP Race Secretariat Aimee Fakat said that a fun ride is added to the event for those who choose not to compete but nevertheless wish to try the course and enjoy the scenic landscapes.
“The Tour De Mountain Province is complemented with a plethora of tourist spots that can be viewed along the route. These include rice terraces, cascading waterfalls, rock formations, and panoramic mountain peaks such as the towering Tirad Pass in Ilocos Sur with a perfect viewpoint in Besao, Mt. Clitoris in Tadian, and Mt. Kalawitan in Sabangan”, Fakat added
A registration fee of Php1,000 for the race division and Php750 for the fun ride will be charged per participant inclusive of event shirt, race kit, finisher medal, food and hydration at aid stations, and on-course support.
Other details of the race including the rules and guidelines can be found in the event’s Facebook page. The participants may also inquire by email addressed to mtprovince@redcross.org.ph or contact directly the event organizers thru mobile phone numbers 09203670968 / 09074162697 and 09999911801.
The December 28 launch edition is the first leg of the Tour De Mountain Province series. The second will be conducted in April next year featuring the road course from Paracelis to Bontoc passing through the rustic towns of Natonin and Barlig in eastern Mountain Province. **Robert L. Pangod