Cyclists from all walks of life got together last April 2-5, at Subic Bay Freeport, Zambales to take part in the 7th Terry Larrazabal Bike Festival. The festival, which had as partners the Department of Tourism and the SBMA was a huge success as more than 5,000 cyclists from 15 countries converged in Subic and shared their common love for cycling.
The festival, the only cycling event of it’s kind in Asia had a 3-day 4-stage road race participated by executive cyclists from all over the Philippines. There was also an Olympic Distance Triathlon event, Mountain Bike Cross-Country, Downhill, 4X and Dirt Jumping Competition. For BMX, there was the much-anticipated Supercross Competition and Dirt jumping contest. The 7th TLBF also hosted the 3rd Philippine Trials Competition, which was won by the custom frame builder Jeff Jones from the USA, who flew in the Philippines to join the festival. Also in attendance was World Champion Brian Lopes, who was the fastest man in the Downhill competition and cycling legend Hans “No Way” Rey had a trials demo for the crowd.
The 7th TLBF was much bigger than the 2008 festival, with the road race series being the biggest peloton of executive cyclists the history of road racing in the Philippines. Also new for 2009 were the bike clinics where world famous cycling personalities did tech sessions for the crowd, from frame designing, to providing tips for competing in the world cup.
Foreign cyclists were all praise for the conduct of the festival, expressing their admiration for the organizers for being able to conduct so many races, and yet still have a festive and fun atmosphere. With all of them already looking forward to the next festival, where they promise to bring their cyclists friends with them to the Philippines. Some foreigners particularly were impressed with the growth of the sport in the Philippines, and noted the potential in the development of cyclo-tourism in the Philippines.
With the clamor of cyclists for the conduct of another Terry Larrazabal Bike Festival, cyclists can now look forward to even better and bigger things for the next TLBF!
2009 TLBF WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS: Presented by: SUBIC BAY METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY (SBMA) DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM (DOT) CALTEX WITH TECHRON
Co-Presentors INQUIRER.NET YEHEY.COM BIKE TOWN CYCLERY
Major GATORADE RUDY PROJECT SMART COMMUNICATIONS APRELAC • BUSINESS MIRROR Minor: CHRIS SPORTS DEUTER BAGS CAFE BRETON SPORTSPRAY PINOY BIKES
For The Best Night You’ll Never Remember JAGERMEISTER
Triathlon ENERVON MULTIVITAMINS
Donor FLANAX
Media Partners DIRT RAG MEN’S HEALTH MTV ONE SPORT PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER WAVE 89.1 FM WOMEN’S HEALTH
For more information and race results, please visit TLBF website at www.tlbf.org.
