TOP EXECS. PhilCycling president Abraham Tolentino (left) and Philippine Sports Commission chair Richard Bachmann watch the final day of the Asian BMX Championships for Freestyle and Racing at Tagaytay City BMX Park on Sunday (July 16, 2023). PhilCycling wants to host the Asian Championships and the UCI World Cup in 2025. (PhilCycling photo)
MANILA – The Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (PhilCycling) has expressed interest to host the Asian BMX Championships again as well as the International Cycling Union (UCI) BMX World Cup in 2025.
PhilCycling president Abraham Tolentino has made an early bid to host the twin events during a meeting with Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) secretary-general Onkar Singh and UCI management committee member Datuk Amarjit Singh of Malaysia on the final day of the 2023 Asian BMX Championships for Freestyle and Racing at Tagaytay City BMX Park on Sunday.
“With the success of this year’s Asian BMX championships, Tagaytay City is declaring its bid not only for the continental championships but also for the UCI World Cup in 2025,” Tolentino, also Tagaytay City mayor, said in a statement on Monday.
More than 200 athletes and officials from nine countries, including riders as young as six years old who competed in the Challenge events, joined the three-day tournament which was the last qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Tolentino, also Philippine Olympic Committee president, said the current BMX track has to be modified for the World Cup.
“Innovations on the current BMX track would be implemented, especially on raising the start ramp from its present 5-meter height to the world championships and World Cup standard of 8 meters,” he said, adding that plans to build a V-shaped start ramp -- 5 meters and 8 meters -- would be implemented soon.
“But hosting the Asian Championships and the World Cup would have to be in the first five months of the year when the rains and the Tagaytay fog are scant,” said Tolentino.
The ACC and UCI officials, as well as foreign commissaries, praised the track and the organization of the championships and agreed in principle on Tolentino’s proposal for 2025.
Onkar Singh said he expects more Asian countries to take part in 2025, noting the high standard of the track and efficiency of the local organizing committee.
Japan reigned at the event, winning a total of six gold medals, including three on the final day of the competition. (PNA)
