Race backers show
passion for cycling

TANDUAY, which has been supporting the yearly summer tour since 2003, and Air21 are reiterating their commitment to cycling by backing this year’s edition of the Padyak Pinoy that starts on May 17.

"It has become Tanduay’s passion to support sporting endeavors and the Padyak Pinoy has become a priority event of the company," said Larry Li, Tanduay’s advertising manager.

In 2002, Air21, through Lito Alvarez and its chairman Bert Lina, revived the multi-stage cycling marathon through the FedEx Tour of Calabarzon.

Li and Tanduay vice president for marketing Andre Co’s commitment to the Padyak Pinoy and cycling which cascades from the top–from Tanduay big boss Lucio Tan to its president Wilson Young–is more on the passionate side.

The amiable Tanduay brass has become a familiar face in the Padyak Pinoy, having joined every single day of the bikathon for the past six years.

As for Alvarez, cycling is equally a passion that he shares with Lina, who heads the national association for cycling, PhilCycling.

"We at Air21 and the LGC (Lina Group of Companies) eagerly await each summer to see our veteran cyclists race for fame and fortune," said Alvarez.

A latest addition to the growing list of Tour lovers is Wow, the best-selling Magic Sing in the country. Wow joined the Padyak Pinoy as a major sponsor in 2006. It brought along its sister company, Cool Pap, the extra strength sports plaster.

According to Paquito Rivas of the Philippine National Cycling Association, there will be 10 stages this year with the 96 riders–divided into 12 teams–racing over a total of 1,488.90 kilometers. The cyclists will traverse much of Luzon from Paranaque to as far north as Laoag City.

Also supporting this year’s Padyak Pinoy are Champion as the official outfitter, Mail and More, Bacchus as official energy drink, Cossack Vodka, Vellum Cycles, Cargohaus global warehouse services, Caltex, U-Freight forwarders and SM Supermalls.