The run-up to the much-awaited premiere cycling race in the Bicol Region today, the Tour of Camarines Sur 2006, has begun.

        With 10 days remaining to the official start of the race on May 20, preparations have reached fever pitch as the organizers, the Multimedia Education Center, the Kaogma Foundation and the provincial government of Camarines Sur are hard pressed to attend to last minute details and additional preparations in order to present a smooth, detailed, organized, and well-managed sports activity.

        Now on its 9th consecutive year of staging, the Tour of Camarines Sur, which forms part of the major highlights of the Kaogma Festival, as directed by Gov. LRay Villafuerte, its organizers were tasked to invite other provincial governments and prominent cycling clubs from all over the country to send their cycling teams and represent their provinces and cities in the said race.

        Thus, the response was overwhelming as 531 professional and amateur cycling enthusiasts coming from the different locales in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, all trooped to Camarines Sur and readily signed up during the registration period. Even the national cycling teams had also signified their intention to join the race in order to showcase their sports prowess and cycling supremacy.

        In fact, this year, given PhilCycling sanction, the mountain bike race was opened to both genders - male and female - wherein two notable female cyclists namely, 2005 SEA Games gold medalist for cross country Mantes Bitbit and Nitzel Montebon who hails from Davao City. Both are members of the national pool of cyclists and they will see action along with the rest of the predominantly male cycling packs. For the spectators, kibitzers, and cycling fans, it is quite interesting to see how these two gals will fare amongst the male testosterone.

        Gov. LRay Villafuerte through the provincial government and the Kaogma Foundation has guaranteed over P800,QOO.OQ in cash prizes aside from other free stuffs and valuable giveaways.

        The 5-lap race will commence on May 20 and will traverse some 20 towns and 2 cities in 4 districts of the province via the mountain routes and rough terrains of Cararayan and San Isidro in Naga City, Bombon, Calabanga, Tinambac, Goa, and San Jose for the 1st lap; from Caramoan to Tigaon via Presentacion, Lagonoy, San Jose, and Goa for the 2nd lap; going to Balatan by way of Ocampo, Buhi, Iriga City, and Nabua for the 3rd lap; proceeding to Libmanan through Bula, Minalabac, San Fernando, and Pamplona for the 4th lap; and going back to the provincial seat by way of Cabusao, Sipocot, Pmaplona, San Fernando, Milaor, Almeda Highway in Naga City, Palestina and Cadlan in Pili. The 5-day race will end on May 24 at the Capitol Complex grounds with an awarding ceremony in the afternoon. JMTS