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| DuckWorld PH chairman John Patrick Gregorio (second from left) sealed the partnership with Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) president and CEO Raul C. Pagdanganan for MPTC Tour of Luzon 2025. With them are (from left) MPTC Tour of Luzon 2025 project director Dean Francis Diaz and CSMC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Antonio S. Say. (Image Source: Manila Standard/Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation) |
The Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) Tour of Luzon 2025 forged an essential partnership with Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) on the safe conduct of the much-anticipated revival of the race. MPTC and event organizer DuckWorld PH formalized their agreement with CSMC last March 17, 2025 that will ensure the health and safety of all cyclists and members of the Tour entourage during the eight-stage bikathon that will kick off in Paoay, Ilocos Norte on April 24 and finish at Camp John Hay in Baguio City on May 1. CSMC President and CEO Raul C. Pagdanganan signed the memorandum of agreement with DuckWorld Chairman John Patrick Gregorio during the official partnership ceremony held at the hospital's Philippine Center for Advanced Surgery.
“This partnership enables us to apply our expertise that will not only help in responding to health and safety needs of the athletes and participants, but more so aid in the athletes’ optimal condition to compete,’’ said Pagdanganan. CSMC will specifically provide top-notch medical services throughout the fabled multi-stage cycling Tour, offering on-site emergency care, first aid stations, transport services and immediate response teams. “This MOA with the Cardinal Santos Medical Center is a testament to the commitment of the MVP Group in seeing the MPTC Tour of Luzon 2025 properly conducted. The intensity of this race will push to the limit, and we want to make sure everyone is properly supported and cared for,’’ said MPTC Chief Regulatory Officer Arrey Perez. With 105 riders from 15 participating teams, the opening stage is an out-and-back 180-kilometer course in Paoay followed by a team trial trial race in Stage 2 (60 kilometers) going to Vigan, Ilocos Sur. The third stage takes the cyclists to San Juan, La Union (135 kms) before pedaling 150 kms from Agoo, La Union to Clark in Stage 4. “We are dedicated to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for every participant, and our alliance with a trusted medical services partner enables us to respond swiftly and effectively to any health emergency,’’ said Gregorio.
Also gracing the contract signing were MPTC Tour of Luzon project director Dean Francis Diaz and CSMC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Antonio S. Say. CSMC is a partner of choice for the revival of the Tour that ceased its journey in 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic since the hospital has a wide range of excellent sports medicine and wellness products and services through its Sports Medicine Institute. The Sports Medicine Institute houses the MVP Clinic that offers the latest in the care of professional and recreational athletes from the treatment and prevention of injuries to proper conditioning and nutrition. Along with the hospital’s Lifestyle and Wellness Center, a complete array of both effective treatment and development program packages are available for all types of patients and athletes. Stage 5 is a 120-km ride that begins and ends in Clark, Pampanga via New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac while the sixth stage will finish in Lingayen, Pangasinan after 150 kms. The surviving cyclists will race against the clock during the Individual Time Trial (30 kms) in Stage 7 in preparation for the 178-km punishing climb to Camp John Hay in Baguio City on the final stage where the champion will be crowned.
The 15-team Tour of Luzon, which was last held in 2019 as the Le Tour de Filipinas and with the support of telecommunications executive Manny Pangilinan, will have Navy-Standard Insurance Philippines set to bring back its riders who dominated the bikefest in 2019 along with rivals from 7-Eleven Roadbike Philippines, Victoria Cycling Team, Go-For-Gold and Philippine Army. Also coming in are riders from Excellent Noodles, D’ Reyna, Dandex Multi-Sports and MPT DriveHub. Provincial team Tagaytay City-Tom N Toms Toms, Nueva Vizcaya, Davao and Cebu are also taking part with the National Under-23 team. Foreign riders from the Singapore National Team, the ASC Monsters of Indonesia, the Vietnam National Team and Thailand are also listed. The team champion will receive Php1M (one million Philippine pesos) and a year’s possession of the Tour Of Luzon Perpetual Trophy.
