A ‘Heritage Ride’ among racing executives and a jersey honoring cycling legend Paquito Rivas marked the countdown to the MPTC Tour of Luzon 2026 that hits the road on Wednesday in Calatagan, Batangas.
No less than Nicolas Torre III, Metro Manila Development Authority general manager and former Philippine National Police chief, led the executive race held three days ahead of the 14-stage Tour of Luzon that offers the richest prize pot in Tour history at P12 million.
‘We’re honored to have cycled alongside General Torre in the Heritage Ride, who himself is an advocate of cycling,’ said Tour chief organizer and CEO Arrey Perez after the 60-km event that preceded the Tour co-presented by the Philippine Sports Commission and MPTC and sanctioned by the PhilCycling.
The polka dot jersey awarded to the King of the Mountain, meanwhile, will be named after the late legendary champion Paquito Rivas, who owns the title as Eagle of the Mountain for having won for three consecutive years – 1973, 1974 and 1979 – the individual time trial race that finished in Baguio City.
‘His legacy will be immortalized through the King of the Mountain Polka Dot Jersey,’ Perez said. ‘This symbolic gesture celebrates his unmatched feats.’
The Tour starts with a Grand Depart in CaSoBe in Calatagan and ends with a Grand Finish in Tagaytay City on Wednesday and culminates with a climb on Kennon Road from Lingayen to Scout Hill inside John Hay Hotels on May 13.
Supported by the MVP Group, the MPTC Tour of Luzon rewards the individual champion P1 million and the team titlist P2 million.