MANILA – China emerged as the most successful team in the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) Track Championships after securing five gold medals at the UCI-accredited Tagaytay CT Velodrome in Cavite.
Philippine Cycling Federation president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said the velodrome’s recent Category A homologation from the International Cycling Union (UCI) strengthens the country’s capability to stage major international competitions.
“The Philippines is now officially recognized as a UCI track destination, which means we can host prestigious events such as the World Cup and even the world championships,” Tolentino said Thursday.
The certification, signed by UCI Track and Indoor Cycling Manager Jessika Grand Bois, was issued a day before the official opening of the tournament on Wednesday.
China captured titles in both the men’s and women’s elite team sprint and team pursuit events, as well as the men’s junior team pursuit.
Chinese Taipei ruled the men’s junior team sprint, while South Korea took the top spot in the women’s junior team sprint. Kazakhstan dominated the women’s junior team pursuit.
The Philippine team, composed largely of young and inexperienced riders, gained valuable exposure by competing against Asia’s top cyclists on home soil.
PhilCycling track coach Virgilio Espiritu said the team is still developing but showed signs of improvement.
“While setbacks were expected, it’s encouraging to see the riders perform better compared to their training sessions,” Espiritu noted.
Representing the Philippines in the junior team sprint were Prince Andrei Pedragosa, Asher Job Albo and Kaizel Jizmundo for the men’s team, and Marlen Marasigan, Althea Mae Campana and Angeline Elvira for the women’s squad.
In the men’s elite team sprint, the country fielded Matt Andrei Gonzalo, Archie Cardana and Marcus Gabriel Ricalde.
About 600 athletes from 16 nations are participating in the tournament, which the Philippines is hosting for the first time in over three decades.
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