PAOAY, Ilocos Norte — Matapos ang anim na taon, magbabalik sa eksena ang Tour of Luzon simula ngayong Huwebes.

Sisimulan ng 119 riders mula 17 teams, kabilang ang apat na foreign-based squads, ang kanilang kampanya sa pinaka-aabangang summer spectacle on wheels na magbubukas dito sa nakabibighaning lugar sa Ilocandia.

Pangungunahan ng mga battle-tested riders na sina Marcelo Felipe, Ronald Oranza, Jan Paul Morales at George Oconer ang kampanya ng mga Filipino sa prestihiyosong kumpetisyon na itinataguyod ng DuckWorld PH sa pakikipagtulungan ng Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation.

“We are all excited. We are all thankful, the Tour of Luzon is back. This is for Philippine cycling. This is for the Filipino people,’’ pahayag ni DuckWorld PH chairman Patrick “Pato’’ Gregorio, na nagpasalamat din sa MVP Group ni sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan.

Samantala, binigyan ng mainit na pag-tangap ni Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Manotoc ang mga kalahok at iba pang panauhin sa kanyang opening speech.

“As I always say, we are far but we are worth it, and I’m glad that you’ve made it all here,” pahayah ni Gov. Manotoc.

“I believe that Ilocos Norte is the only province in the Philippines that can offer you a slice of Dubai in the only sand dunes in the country, a slice of Boracay in the crown jewel of the north in Saud Beach, Pagudpud, and a slice of Baguio in Salsona, Apayao, the beginning of the Cordillera in eastern Ilocos Norte. So we hope you get to enjoy our province despite the intense effort you will be exerting, and I hope you’re able to come back,” d7gtong pa niya.

“The National Dragon Boat Team used to train here in Paoay Lake. And we want to be the go-to destination north of Manila for any sporting events. Of course, we congratulate the entire MVP group, led by the MPTC and Duckworld, on the this great revival. We’re truly humbled and honored and pleased to be part of this great revival.”

Masaya din si Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol’’ Tolentino sa pagbabalik ng tour.

“It’s a thrilling and exciting time for all cycling enthusiasts and fans all over the country as the Great Revival of Tour of Luzon is now going to happen. The cycling community and fans have waited for this race. Now this is the moment,’’ sabi ni Tolentino.

“We are praying for the safety and health of all riders and all the people involved in this eight-day race, especially in this hot weather,.”

Magsisimula ang karera sa Stage 1, na 190.70-km Paoay-Paoay race

Susundan ito ng Stage 2, na isang 68.39km team time trial mula Paoay hanggang Vigan City.

Ang Stage 3 naman ay tatampukan ng 130.33km ride patungo sa San Juan, La Union, na susundan ng Stage 4 mula Agoo patungong Clark (162.97), Stage 5 na Clark-Clark race via New Clark City (166.65km) at Stage 6 na Clark-Lingayen (168.19km).

Ang Stage 7 na 15.14km individual time trial ay susubok sa mga siklista mula Labrador, Pangasinan hanggang Lingayen habang ang Stage 8 ay tatampukan ng 172.53kms race mula Lingayen patungo sa Scout Hill sa loob ng Camp John Hay sa Baguio City.

Ang tatanghaling individual champion ay mag-uuwi ng P500,000 habang team champion ay tatanggap ng P1 million para sa event na sinusuportahan din ng Cignal, Pilipinas Live, Meralco, Maynilad, Metro Pacific Health, Megaworld, Landco, PLDT ar Smart.

Nagbibigay suporta din ang Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Go21, Dongfeng, Victory Liner, DOOH, PSSLAI, Unilab, Huawei, Toyota, Microtel by Wyndham, Gatorade, Drivehub at Homestretch.