Bike route crucial in IRONMAN 70.3 title clash

While bidders seek early momentum in the swim leg and a strong finishing kick in the run stage, pundits believe the bike phase holds the key to victory in the IRONMAN 70.3 Philippines set Sunday in Lapu-Lapu City.

Close to 2,000 endurance athletes from 46 nations are all geared up for IRONMAN 70.3’s return to the country’s newest triathlon hub at The Mactan Newtown with 1,106 clashing for top honors in various age categories, including the overall crown and berths to next year’s World Championship in Finland.

But what makes the crown jewel of Asian triathlon, sponsored by Megaworld and presented by AIA Vitality, doubly interesting is the 3-loop bike route at the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway of the grueling 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21k run race that will also feature the relay men’s and women’s and relay mixed events.

“The CCLEX is sure to spice up the title chase in the IRONMAN 70.3 and at the same time provide the ultimate expressway experience to all motorists while ensuring safe and convenient travel,” said Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corp. (CCLEC) president and general manager Allan Alfon.

The CCLEX is an 8.9km modern toll road in Metro Cebu linking Cebu City and the municipality of Cordova. It is designed to withstand winds of up to 250km/h and hovers 52 meters above the Mactan Channel.

The three-loop bike race starts at Mactan Newtown to ML Quezon National Highway to the southern part of Lapu-Lapu City to the Municipality of Cordova then to Gabi Pilipog circumferential road and exit to CCLEX Bridge.