Rain Delay: Larga Pilipinas Cycling Marathon reset to November

The highly anticipated six-stage Larga Pilipinas Cycling Marathon has been officially postponed due to persistent inclement weather in recent weeks.

“It’s quite unfortunate because the teams prepared hard for this. But as we speak, there are areas in Northern Luzon, especially in the Cordilleras, that are currently isolated because of the heavy rains,” said Larga Pilipinas operations chief Snow Badua yesterday, July 30, during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.

Originally set to start on August 2, the event will now kick off on November 29, as Badua confirmed. “Palipasin na muna natin ang typhoon season. Let’s give the LGUs all the time to focus on the situation and huwag na tayo madagdag sa isipin nila.”

“Heavily battered ang Northern Luzon, that’s why, in close coordination with the different LGUs (local government units), we needed to reset, also upon the advice of PhilCycling president Abraham Tolentino,” he explained.

“We cannot, in good conscience, move forward knowing these hazards put our participants and the teams at real risk. Their safety is, and always will be, our top priority,” he added.

Despite the delay, excitement remains high for the marathon, which is expected to feature 10 competitive teams, including several international riders. The event is poised to be one of the country’s largest and most competitive cycling races this year.

Organizers stressed that the postponement was made with participant safety as the top priority, ensuring optimal racing conditions for all teams.