The Le Tour de Filipinas is an annual professional road bicycle racing stage race held in Luzon, Philippines since 1955 as part of the UCI Asia Tour. It is held in April every year. While the course changes every year, the tour traditionally ends at Rizal Park, Manila, although recently the tour has ended in Baguio after being licensed by the UCI. Its previous names included the Tour of Luzon, Marlboro Tour, Tour of Calabarzon, Tour Pilipinas and Padyak Pinoy, before carrying the current name.
| Race details | |
|---|---|
| Region | Philippines |
| English name | Tour of the Philippines |
| Local name(s) | Tour ng Pilipinas |
| Discipline | Road |
| Competition | UCI Asia Tour 2.2 |
| Type | Stage race |
| Organiser | Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines |
| Web site | www |
| History | |
| First edition | 1955 (as Tour of Luzon) |
| First winner |  Antonio Arzala (PHI) |
| Most wins | Antonio Arzala (PHI) (3 wins) |
| Most recent |  Jeroen Meijers (NED) |
History
1955 – 1976: Tour of Luzon
In 1955, the Tour was launched as a four-stage race from Manila to Vigan race won by Antonio Arzala. But, a year later, the race was renamed as the Tour of Luzon and carried the name until 1976 (there was no tour held in 1968, 1970–1972).
The prominent riders included two-time Tour champions Cornelio Padilla, Jr. of Central Luzon and Jose Sumalde of Bicol. However, in 1977, a rift within the PCAP (see below) led to a split of two tours during the said year. However, according to the Padyak Pinoy website, the event organized by Geruncio Lacuesta is recognized on their official list. The tour's name ended by 1978 as Marlboro entered the scene.
1979 – 1998: Marlboro Tour
By 1979, Marlboro became the official sponsor of the tour and the event was named as Marlboro Tour, a name that is commonly familiar to ardent racers and fans. During these times, the tour expanded its routes, by including cities from Visayas in the leg, with the final laps regularly held at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.
From 1997-1998, the tour allowed riders from Asia to compete in the event and was sanctioned by the UCI. It also led to Wong Kam-po of Hong Kong to become the first non-Filipino to win the event in 1997, after overtaking 1996 winner Victor Espiritu for the lead in the latter stages.
The format used for the teams are based on provinces with the national team included in the race. It was also the same format when Asian riders participated in the event beginning in 1997.
1999 – 2001: End of Marlboro Tour
In 1999, Marlboro backed out as sponsor which proved to be a devastating blow to the organizers. The tour lost about a possible 60-million pesos to finance the tour. With this, there was no tour held from 1999-2001. To compensate the loss of the so-called "Summer Cycling Spectacle", other groups formed mini-races during the summer.
A law was passed banning cigarette brands advertisements on TV, radio or any form like sport events like The Marlboro Tour.
2002 – Recent years
In 2002, the tour was revived after Airfreight 2100 of Bert Lina and Lito Alvarez financed the tour. A four-leg race was held in late-May known as Tour of CALABARZON won by Santy Barnachea. A year later, the tour was renamed as Tour Pilipinas, and held a 17-leg race, the longest since 1998. The tour was won by Arnel Quirimit of Pangasinan.
Ryan Tanguilig won in 2004 in a 10-stage tour. In 2005, the tour was renamed as the Golden Tour 50 @ 05, honoring the 50th anniversary of the Tour. 1998 champion Warren Davadilla, who won the last edition of the Marlboro, was the champion. In 2006, several disputes within the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines led to a short eight stage event dubbed with the current Padyak Pinoy name, won by Barnachea.
Its current corporate sponsor is Airfreight 2100, the official brand-carrier of FedEx and Air21, thru the UBE Media, Inc. (producers of the TV program Panahon.TV), who has founded the tour since 2002. From 1979-1998, Marlboro was the carrying sponsor of the tour before backing out of the tour, resulting in the tour's stoppage for the next three years.
Stages
Marlboro Tour days
These were the stages in 1996:
- Davao City to Carmen, Davao del Norte
- Tagum, Davao del Norte to Butuan
- Butuan to Cagayan de Oro
- Cebu City to Cebu City (individual time trial)
- Cebu City to Cebu City via Santander
- Dumaguete to Bacolod
- Iloilo City to Iloilo City via Pototan, Iloilo (team time trial)
- Iloilo City to Iloilo City via San Jose de Buenavista, Antique
- Pasay to Lucena
- Lucena to Marikina
- Marikina to Olongapo
- Olongapo to Alaminos, Pangasinan
- Alaminos, Pangasinan to San Jose, Nueva Ecija
- San Jose, Nueva Ecija to Banaue, Ifugao
- Banaue, Ifugao to Tuguegarao, Cagayan
- Tuguegarao, Cagayan to Vigan, Ilocos Sur
- Vigan, Ilocos Sur to Baguio
- Rosario, La Union to Baguio (individual time trial)
- Baguio to Baguio
Le Tour de Filipinas days
These were the stages in 2019:
- Tagaytay, Cavite to Tagaytay, Cavite via Lemery, Batangas
- Pagbilao, Quezon to Daet, Camarines Norte
- Daet, Camarines Norte to Legazpi, Albay
- Legazpi, Albay to Legazpi, Albay via Sorsogon City
- Legazpi, Albay to Legazpi, Albay via Donsol, Sorsogon
Past winners
Tour of Luzon
| Year | Date | Stages | Distance | Winner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955[1] | 28 April–1 May | 4 | 418 km | Antonio Arzala (PHI) | |
| 1956 | 23–27 May | 5 | 1,057 km | Antonio Arzala (PHI) | 33:45:08 |
| 1957 | 28 May–7 June | 6 | 1,155 km | Rufino Gabot (PHI) | 51:45:22 |
| 1958 | 14–20 April | 7 | 1,517 km | Mamerto Eden (PHI) | 61:14:08 |
| 1959 | 12–19 April | 8 | 1,634 km | Antonio Arzala (PHI) | 59:44:50 |
| 1960 | 14–22 May | 9 | 1,648 km | Rodrigo Abaquita (PHI) | 57:51:02 |
| 1961 | 25 April–7 May | 12 | 2,167 km | Jose Moring Jr. (PHI) | 59:44:50 |
| 1962 | 26 March–8 April | 12 | 1,870.23 km | Edmundo De Guzman (PHI) | 61:04:50 |
| 1963 | 21 April–5 May | 14 | 2,334.38 km | Gonzalo Recodos (PHI) | 78:27:54 |
| 1964 | 19 April–3 May | 14 | 1,967.60 km | Jose Sumalde (PHI) | 60:22:09 |
| 1965 | 25 April–9 May | 14 | 2,049.31 km | Jose Sumalde (PHI) | 65:13:19 |
| 1966 | 23 April–8 May | 15 | 1,999.82 km | Cornelio Padilla (PHI) | 60:45:31 |
| 1967 | 12–19 April | 8 | 1,634 km | Cornelio Padilla (PHI) | 70:34:57 |
| 1968 | Cancelled | ||||
| 1969[2] | 18–27 April | 10 | 1,208.40 km | Domingo Quilban (PHI) | 37:50:29 |
| 1970–1972 | Cancelled | ||||
| 1973 | 11–20 May | 10 | 1,214 km | Jesus Garcia Jr. (PHI) | 34:38:38 |
| 1974[3] | 23 April–12 May | 18 | 2,540.95 km | Teodorico Rimarim (PHI) | 78:35:19 |
| 1975 | 19 April–4 May | 15 | 2,207.87 km | Samson Etrata (PHI) | 66:18:48 |
| 1976 | 21 April–9 May | 6 | 2,200 km | Modesto Bonzo (PHI) | 66:31:10 |
Tour of the Philippines
| Year | Name | Date | Stages | Distance | Winner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 [4] | Tour ng Pilipinas | 2 May–5 June | 24 | 4,000 km | Manuel Reynante (PHI) | 106:57:20 |
| Marlboro Tour ng Pilipinas[5] | 7–26 June | 3 | 1,697 km | Jesus Garcia Jr. (PHI) | 55:37:52 | |
| 1978 | Perk Speed Tour[6] | 9–12 February | 4 | 405.8 km | Rumin Salamante (PHI) | 10:11:10 |
| 1979 | Marlboro Tour | 18–30 April | 11 | 1,900 km | Paquito Rivas (PHI) | 60:01:06 |
| 1980 | Tour of the Philippines | 15 April–11 May | 21 | 2,780.83 km | Manuel Reynante (PHI) | 83:08:00 |
| 1981 | Tour of the Philippines | 17 March–12 April | 21 | 3,058.81 km | Jacinto Sicam (PHI) | 87:25:43 |
Marlboro Tour
| Year | Name | Date | Stages | Distance | Winner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Marlboro Tour | 22 April–9 May | 15 | 2,192 km | Jacinto Sicam (PHI) | 61:29:17 |
| 1983 | Marlboro Tour | 16 April–1 May | 14 | 2,313.11 km | Romeo Bonzo (PHI) | 63:54:31 |
| 1984 | Marlboro Tour | 26 May–10 June | 14 | 2,464 km | Ruben Carino (PHI) | 68:08:49 |
| 1985 | Marlboro Tour | 18 April–12 May | 21 | 3,668.97 km |  Pepito Calip (PHI) | 97:04:42 |
| 1986 | Marlboro Tour | 26 April–11 May | 10 | 2,900.77 km | Rolando Pagnanawon (PHI) | 77:39:53 |
| 1987 | Marlboro Tour | 21 May–7 June | 17 | 3,282 km | Reynaldo Dequito (PHI) | 88:06:50 |
| 1988 | Marlboro Tour | 28 April–15 May | 17 | 3,544.53 km | Armando Catalan (PHI) | 94:44:03 |
| 1989 | Marlboro Tour | 26 April–14 May | 18 | 3,539.47 km | Gerardo Igos (PHI) | 95:40:23 |
| 1990 | Marlboro Tour | 18 April–6 May | 18 | 3,317.42 km | Manuel Buenaventura (PHI) | 95:58:38 |
| 1991 | Marlboro Tour | 25 April–12 May | 17 | 2,373.61 km | Bernardo Llentada (PHI) | 63:33:17 |
| 1992 | Marlboro Tour | 21 May–7 June | 17 | 2,731.38 km | Renato Dolosa (PHI) | 71:21:49 |
| 1993 | Marlboro Tour | 17 April–9 May | 21 | 3,480 km | Carlo Guieb (PHI) | 91:41:54 |
| 1994 | Marlboro Tour | 17 April–9 May | 20 | 3,563 km | Carlo Guieb (PHI) | 91:24:13 |
| 1995 | Marlboro Tour | 18 March–8 April | 19 | 3,280.33 km | Renato Dolosa (PHI) | 83:43:39 |
| 1996 | Marlboro Tour | 14 April–5 May | 19 | 3,257.29 km | Victor Espiritu (PHI) | 80:50:46 |
| 1997 | Marlboro Tour[7] | 16 April–4 May | 16 | 2,472 km |  Wong Kam-po (HKG) | 62:06:28 |
| 1998 | Marlboro Centennial Tour | 15 April–3 May | 16 | 2,494 km | Warren Davadilla (PHI) | 64:58:57 |
| 1999–2001 | Cancelled | |||||
Le Tour de Pilipinas / Padyak Pinoy / FedEx/Air21 Tour
| Year | Name | Date | Stages | Distance | Winner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | FedEx Tour of CALABARZON | 30 May–2 June | 4 | 517.7 km |  Santi Barnachea (PHI) | 12:41:13 |
| 2003 | Air21 Tour Pilipinas | 16 April–11 May | 15 | 2,849.8 km | Arnel Quirimit (PHI) | 55:29:20 |
| 2004 | Air21 Tour Pilipinas | 15 April–2 May | 17 | 2,849.8 km | Rhyan Tanguilig (PHI) | 70:28:59 |
| 2005 | Golden Tour 50@05 | 26 May–5 June | 10 | 1,492 km | Warren Davadilla (PHI) | 37:20:55 |
| 2006 | Padyak Pinoy Tour Pilipinas | 12–18 May | 8 | 1,219.4 km | Santi Barnachea (PHI) | 31:10:03 |
| 2007 | Padyak Pinoy | 17–29 May | 10 | 1,500 km | Victor Espiritu (PHI) | 33:02:38 |
| 2008 | Cancelled | |||||
| 2009 | Padyak Pinoy Tour of Champions | 8–15 May | 8 | 1,070 km | Joel Calderon (PHI) | 29:52:33 |
| 2010 | Le Tour de Filipinas | 12–20 April | 4 | 468.8 km |  David McCann (IRL)[8] | 11:29:20 |
| 2011 | Le Tour de Filipinas | 16–19 April | 4 | 468.8 km |  Rahim Emami (IRI) | 12:15:34 |
| 2012 | Le Tour de Filipinas | 14–17 April | 4 | 502 km | Baler Ravina[9] (PHI) | 13:20:32 |
| 2013 | Le Tour de Filipinas | 13–16 April | 4 | 616 km | Ghader Mizbani (IRI) | 16:38:37 |
| 2014 | Le Tour de Filipinas | 21–24 April | 4 | 614.8 km | Mark Galedo (PHI) | 17:12:05 |
| 2015 | Le Tour de Filipinas | 1–4 February[10] | 4 | 532.5 km |  Thomas Lebas (FRA) | 13:40:49 |
| 2016 | Le Tour de Filipinas | 18–21 February[11] | 4 | 691 km |  Oleg Zemlyakov (KAZ)[12] | 17:36:23 |
| 2017 | Le Tour de Filipinas | 18–21 February | 4 | 726.55 km |  Jai Crawford (AUS) | 17:33:07 |
| 2018 | Le Tour de Filipinas | 20–23 May | 4 | 638.37 km | El Joshua Cariño (PHI) | 12:25:23 |
| 2019 | Le Tour de Filipinas | 14–18 June | 5 | 822.3 km | Jeroen Meijers (NED) | 20:38:07 |
| 2020 | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | |||||
| 2021 | ||||||
| 2022 | ||||||
| 2023 | ||||||
In the 2016 edition, race organizers had to stop the stage 1 event due to unprecedented road repairs, followed by traffic jams in Tiaong, Quezon, the first in the history of Le Tour de Filipinas.[13]
Jerseys
Like other bicycle rices, the Tour also hands out specific jerseys:[14]
- Yellow: General classification
- Purple: Best Filipino rider
- Green: Best sprinter
- Red polka dot: Best climber
- White: Young rider
Notes
External links
- Official website
- Tour de Filipinas palmares at Cycling Archives
- Statistics at the-sports.org
- Le Tour de Filipinas at cqranking.com