Araw cycling unreels today

THE 80th Araw ng Davao Cycling Challenge, which unreels today at Purok 4 Kauswagan, Barangay Langub in Davao City, expects some 70 riders from neighboring cities and provinces.

Philcycling secretarygeneral for Mindanao Salvador "Jun" Paholio, Jr., in Thursday's Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at The Annex of SM City Davao, said riders will come from Davao City, Tagum City, Bukidnon, Koronadal City and General Santos City, among others.

Gunstart for the road bike competition starts at 8:30 a.m., featuring the boys 19-under, 15-under and 13-under categories as well as girls 19-under class.

Mountain bike for boys 19-under, 15-under and 13-under and girls 19-under will be at 1:30 p.m.

Paholio added in the vernacular, "The 13-under and 15-under riders will race in two loops with 16 kilometers in each loop while 19-under entries will compete in one hour plus one loop."

Veteran Ruel Casaljay designed the course of the cycling challenge that serves as elimination for the Batang Pinoy Mindanao qualifying and Philippine National Games qualifying.

"Pasensya nalang muna sa mga elite riders natin, para sa youth muna ang palaro natin ngayon," Pajolio said.

Cash prizes of P3,000, P2,000 and P1,000 will be awarded to the first three finishers of all events including the BMX boys 15-under category. They will also receive medals.

The cash prizes are sponsored by the city government of Davao through the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor's Office.

The free registration bikefest is also sponsored by Steeltech colored roofing, Emperador Brandy, Mark Anthony Construction and Supply and Davao Livestrong Builders Corporation.