Seeking the next generation of cycling heroes, the Go For Gold Criterium Race Series 1 kicks off on March 3 at the Iconic Sacobia Bridge in Clark, Pampanga.
Riders from the nation’s top teams and budding cyclists are gearing up for the high-velocity, one-day race on the iconic orange-painted bridge, seeing it as a rare opportunity to prove their worth.
Apart from the seasoned riders in the men’s and women’s under-23 and elite categories, the closed road course of 1.6 kilometers could serve as the launch pad for future talents in both men’s and women’s youth and junior categories.
“We aim to organize safe and well-run races to elevate the sport of cycling in the Philippines and utilize it for talent identification,” said Go For Gold founder Jeremy Go.
The race is supported by Go For Gold, Scratchit, Magene, SPN Cycle, Booster C Energy Shot, Hytera, and NLEX-SCTEX, with the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (PhilCycling), the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), and Clark Development Corporation (CDC) as partners.
In addition to the excitement on the out-and-back racecourse, entries in the men’s 30-39 and 40-up categories are expected to increase leading up to race day, along with the manager category.
The men under-23 and elite will race for 45 minutes plus three laps, while the women’s side will ride for 40 minutes before sprinting in the final three laps.
Riders in the women’s youth category will race for 15 minutes plus two laps, women and men junior in 30 minutes plus three laps, men youth in 25 minutes plus three laps, men 30-39 and 40-up in 30 minutes plus three laps, and the manager category in 20 minutes plus two laps.
“This race is not just for us but for all teams, so we can uplift the sport of cycling in the Philippines together,” said Go.
According to Go For Gold project director Ednalyn Hualda, professional squads have begun enlisting for the race, with the 21-man Go For Gold cycling team being one of the teams to watch.
“The Go For Gold Criterium Race Series is a three-leg race, with the succeeding races penciled in Cebu, hopefully in July, and in Mindanao, either in September or October,” said Hualda.
With the dearth of races since the pandemic in 2020, Hualda pointed out the need to encourage more organizers to hold local cycling races, providing more opportunities for promising cyclists.
