Le Tour to cycle through I. Norte

Tourism in Ilocos Norte is expected to grow once more as Le Tour de Filipinas cyclists ride across the length of the Province.

“Ilocos Norte was chosen since new destinations will be in store for the tourists, as well as new adventures as they ride through the route going to Baguio,” said Elizabeth Palafox of the Ilocos Norte Province Tourism Office.

With an estimated distance of 175.5 kilometers, the first leg of the race includes roads of Bangui, the town for the famous windmills, to the coastal Pagudpud and shall finish at Aparri, Cagayan. The whole race will culminate in Baguio.

“This will surely help more in the booming of our tourism as Ilocos Norte opens its doors once more, particularly in the presence of the foreign cyclists who will join in the said event,” she added.

Participants include eleven foreign teams from countries such as Malaysia, Australia, South Korea, Iran and Mongolia, and five local squads.

Le Tour de Filipinas is an annual professional bikathon challenge held in Luzon since 1955 as part of the International Cycling Union Asia Tour. It is held in April every year.

It will be attended by more than 500 guests and will be covered by international networks, as well as national and local media.

The event will start with a welcoming ceremony tomorrow, April 12, at Pagudpud with the racing to commence on April 13 to 16.Ephraim Jovid G. Bulusan, CMO-Intern