The rhythmic hum of tires on wood and the blur of high-speed sprints have officially returned to the Philippines.
After a three-decade drought, track cycling made a thunderous comeback yesterday as the 45th Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) Track Championships and the 14th Asian Para Track Cycling Championships kicked off at the brand-new Tagaytay CT Velodrome.
The event marks the first time since 1995—31 years ago at the Amoranto Sports Complex—that the Philippines has hosted a major international track cycling competition.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and PhilCycling President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino led the inaugural rites, highlighting the emotional weight of the sport's revival.
"There is no better way to welcome back a sport where we once dominated Southeast Asia and stood as one of the premier teams in Asia," Tolentino stated during the opening ceremony.
"While a lack of infrastructure previously forced our athletes to focus on road and MTB disciplines, we are now reclaiming the track."
The world-class indoor facility, built in Tolentino’s hometown, is designed to be the catalyst for a new era. For years, Filipino track specialists were forced to train abroad or switch disciplines. Now, the Tagaytay CT Velodrome provides a permanent home for a sport where the Philippines last secured Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold before the turn of the 2010s.
On Infrastructure and Growth
While the atmosphere was celebratory, Tolentino remained grounded regarding immediate expectations for the home team. With over 600 cyclists from 16 countries descending on the ridge, the competition is expected to be fierce.
Tolentino noted that while he is not strictly expecting a medal haul from Team Philippines in this specific tournament, the hosting itself signals the "revival of our passion and championship pedigree in this discipline."
The inauguration was attended by several key figures in Asian and local sports, including ACC head Dato Amarjit Singh Gill and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio, alongside commissioners Walter Torres and Ed Hayco.
Local leadership was also represented by Tagaytay City Mayor Brent Tolentino, Vice Mayor Agnes Tolentino, and former Cavite governor Athena Tolentino.
The championships will continue throughout the week, serving as a signal to the international cycling community that the Philippines has officially re-entered the Asian track cycling map.
