Padyak Pinoy

Infobox Cycling race
name = Padyak Pinoy
current_event =


date = mid April-early May
region = Luzon
english = Tour of the Philippines
localnames = Padyak Pinoy
nickname =
discipline = Road
competition =
type = Stage race
organiser =
director =
first = 1955
number = 46 (as of 2008)
last = 2007
firstwinner = flagicon|PHI Antonio Arzala
mostwins = flagicon|PHI Antonio Arzala
mostrecent = flagicon|PHI Victor Espiritu

Padyak Pinoy (Filipino Pedal) is the official title of the Tour of the Philippines (Tour ng Pilipinas), a bicycle tour held during the hot and dry season (April-May) in the Philippines.

It's previous names included the Tour of Luzon, Marlboro Tour, Tour of Calabarzon (2002), Tour Pilipinas, before carrying the current name.

It's current corporate sponsor is Airfreight 2100, the official brand-carrier of FedEx and Air21, who has funded the tour since 2002. From 1979-1998, Marlboro was the carrying sponsor of the tour before backing out of the tour, resulting in the tour's stoppage for the next three years.

History

Tour of Luzon: 1955-1976

In 1955, the Tour was launched as a four-stage race from Manila to Vigan race won by Antonio Arzala. But, a year later, the race was renamed as the Tour of Luzon and carried the name until 1976 (there was no tour held in 1968, 1970-1972).

Among the prominent riders include Pangasinan riders Cornelio Padilla, Jr., Jess Garcia, who were two-time Tour champions along with Jose Sumalde of Catanduanes.

However, in 1977, a rift within the PCAP (see below) led to a split of two tours during the said year. However, according to the Padyak Pinoy website [http://www.padyakpinoy.com.ph/?q=node/85] , the event organized by Geruncio Lacuesta is recognized on their official list.

The tour's name ended by 1978 as Marlboro entered the scene.

Marlboro Tour: 1979-1998

By 1979, Marlboro became the official sponsor of the tour and the event was named as Marlboro Tour, a name that is commonly familiar to ardent racers and fans.

During these times, the tour expanded its routes, by including cities from Visayas in the leg, with the final laps regularly held at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

From 1997-1998, the tour allowed riders from Asia to compete in the event and was sanctioned by the UCI. It also led to Wong Kam Po of Hong Kong to become the first non-Filipino to win the event in 1997, after overtaking 1996 winner Victor Espiritu for the lead in the latter stages.

The format used for the teams are based on provinces with the National Team included in the race. It was also the same format when Asian riders participated in the event beginning in 1997.

End of Marlboro Tour: 1999-2001

In 1999, Marlboro backed out as sponsor which proved to be a devastating blow to the organizers. According to news articles such as this [http://home.pacbell.net/polgas/tour99.html] , the tour lost about a possible 60-million pesos to finance the tour.

With this, there was no tour held from 1999-2001. To compensate the loss of the so-called "Summer Cycling Spectacle", other groups formed mini-races during the summer.

Airfreight 2100 as backer: 2002-Present

In 2002, the tour was revived after Airfreight 2100 of Bert Lina and Lito Alvarez financed the tour. A four-leg race was held in late-May known as Tour of Calabarzon won by Santy Barnachea.

A year later, the tour was renamed as Tour Pilipinas, and held a 17-leg race, the longest since 1998. The tour was won by Arnel Quirimit of Pangasinan.

Ryan Tanguilig won in 2004 in a 10-stage tour. In 2005, the tour was renamed as the Golden Tour 50 @ 05, honoring the 50th anniversary of the Tour. 1998 champion Warren Davadilla, who won the last edition of the Marlboro, was the champion.

In 2006, several disputes within the National Cycling Association led to a short eight stage event dubbed with the current Padyak Pinoy name, won by Barnachea.

Champions of the Tour

Tour of Luzon

FedEx/Air21 Tour

Notes

Links

* [http://www.padyakpinoy.com Padyak Pinoy Official Site]
* [http://home.pacbell.net/polgas/tour99.html Summer incomplete without the Tour]