Giro D’ Luca promises ‘more challenge’

Following the successful staging of the Giro D' Luca a few weeks ago at the Bellevue in Bohol, the organizers, Motor Ace Racing promised to make sure that they will have a better and more challenging staging next year.

“The Giro D' Luca brings together competitive cyclists who joined to challenge themselves on the tough race course that we set out. The main goal is always to have fun and although there are no plans on making it a competitive race, we will see to it that it will be more challenging next time,” said Jonel Borromeo of Motor Ace Racing, the lead organizer of this year's Giro D' Luca.

The Giro D' Luca is a cycling event held annually since 2013. It brings together all cycling enthusiasts from all walks of life, from all levels of the sport—from newbies to elites.

On its fifth year, the Giro stayed true to that promise, promoting camaraderie among cyclists by encouraging each other to finish Bohol's challenging yet scenic route.

Long, long ride

Each cyclist tries to finish the 500-kilometer ride, in an event spread over three days and held around the picturesque island of Bohol.

The race also made sure that all participants were safe by providing enough security and medical teams.

Two of the main backers, SsangYong Cebu and Kawasaki motorcycles, provided the vehicles for the medical teams, support groups and marshals. Particpants were also given free accident insurance from Sun Life.

In the race, participants were given the liberty to choose between joining two or all three stages. They were not required to join all three as the objective is to challenge oneslf.

Daniel Abelarde , a first-timer in the Giro d' Luca, shared his experience. He said that the course was challenging and as a first-timer, he had jitters, but at the same time, the visibility of the support team everywhere made him feel safe. He enjoyed the experience so much that he is already looking forward to next year's edition.

Scenic route

“I and my small group of cyclists made a decision to live life by taking time off our daily grind and taking advantage of this opportunity to do something we love, which is to ride our bikes around the beautiful Philippine countryside. The Philippines is indeed beautiful,” said Abelarde.

This year, there were 453 registered participants. About

“The finisher’s jersey is proof that we finished the three-day, 500K ride. It is everyone’s prized possession, something that you will always hold on to as a reminder of how we have gone past our physical and mental limits to finish a race against ourselves. DANIEL ABELARDE Giro D’ Luca first-timer

350 rode the first leg, 300 rode the second leg and 330 rode the third leg of the Giro D' Luca.

“There was an overall feeling of safety as support and medical teams, as well as marshals, were visibly following us around,” said Abelarde.

Hydration, which is a concern in any race, was not a problem at the Giro d' Luca at all.

“There were hydration stations at the right places and there was always Nature Spring and Gatorade products,” he added.

“We had free McDonald's food for all three days. During the turnaround point at the third day, we were surprised by dancing mascots! What an experience.”

Abelarde added that the best reward after three grueling days, was wearing the finisher's jersey.