Ravina eyes back-to-back Le Tour titles

PAGUDPUD, Philippines — Reigning champion Baler Ravina is hoping to capture a second consecutive crown as the 2013 edition of Le Tour de Filipinas begins Saturday, April 13, but he faces tough challenge as more than 80 other cyclists from 15 nations look to snatch the title from him.

The 31-year-old became only the second Filipino to win a Union Cycliste Internationale-sanctioned race last year after besting other racers in the 3rd edition of the same tournament that covered virtually the same route as this year’s set for the nine-kilometer part between the windmills of Bangui to resort town Pagudpud.

Ravina, the Pangasinan native known for being a mountain specialist, topped the 2012 Le Tour after asserting himself in the dreaded final leg that snaked through the Cordilleras on their way to Baguio City to capture the first title in a UIC event for the Philippines in more than a decade, 14 years after Warren Davadilla grabbed his historic crown in the then Marlboro Centennial Tour in 1998.

“I’ve waited and readied myself for Le Tour. My goal is to become back-to-back champion,” said the 52nd Asian Circuit-ranked Ravina, the only Filipino in the top 100.

Scenic but dangerous roads

There will be ten foreign groups that will join the five teams coming from the Philippines in this year’s staging presented by Air21, in partnership with San Miguel Corporation and Smart Telecommunications and sponsored by Jinbei, Victory Liner, Standard Insurance, San Mig Coffee, Magnolia Purewater, Red Media, Foton, Maynilad, Kia, Sign Media, Integrated Waste Management Incorporated, Eurotel, American Vinyl, LBC, and 7-eleven.

The 4-stage race along some of the most scenic but dangerous roads along Northern Luzon will be commencing in Bangui, with the first stage ending in Aparri, Cagayan. The second stage will then begin the next day with the finish line in Cauayan City, Isabela. The roads will be harsher on the third day as the race will bring the cyclists to Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya and the results will be determined on the last leg of the race along the mountain ranges of Benguet all the way to Baguio City.

“Stage 4 will bring out the best of these riders,” Air21 and PhilCycling chair Bert Lina said. – Rappler.com