GFNY CHAMPIONSHIP: Iloilo Business Park to host int’l bikers

OVER 300 elite international riders from 15 Asian nations are set to conquer the streets of Iloilo as the much-anticipated Grand Fondo NY Asian Championships (GFNY) finally gets going in Megaworld’s Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao this Sunday, September 22.

The 72-hectare township has been named as the official venue of the Philippine leg of the GFNY, the world’s biggest cycling event, with Festive Walk Mall hosting the majority of the events.

Racers can drop by the mechanical service booths stationed at the mall from 7:00 am – 5:00 pm until Saturday to wrap up their preparations before tackling their respective courses. They can also pick up their race packets at the mall in the afternoon beginning 1:00 pm.

Daily group rides, meanwhile, are also being held ahead of the race proper, and local bikers are invited to take part as well. Festive Walk Mall serves as the starting point for these preparatory rides that begin at 8:00 am.

There’s also a Food Bike Tour, where the participating bikers visit local tourist landmarks and experience and taste local cuisine.

Come Saturday, cyclists who will be joining the sunrise pre-race ride departing for Guimbal will be up and ready by 5:00 am.

The official race kicks off at 6:30 am on Sunday at Festive Walk Mall. This Philippine leg features a competitive long-distance course of 133 kilometers and 650 meters of climbing, as well as a non-competitive middle distance course covering 64 kilometers with a 220-meter climb.

The awarding of winners will be held at 1:00 pm, while courses officially close at 3:30 pm.

“We are very excited to host the GFNY Asian Championships and welcome the region’s elite cyclists here in Iloilo Business Park. We take great pride in hosting this prestigious global competitive event—the first time that such an event is being held here—as we showcase the beauty and world-class appeal of this outstanding township,” says Jennifer Palmares-Fong, vice-president for sales and marketing, Megaworld Iloilo.

The 326-room Courtyard by Marriott and the 151-room Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, both located inside Iloilo Business Park, serve as the official hotel and address of the participating cyclists. Aside from the Philippines, other elite racers competing in this leg include those from Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Israel, USA, Germany, Colombia, and Brazil.

The qualifier race is one of the five continental title series that form part of the 2019-2020 GFNY World Race season. The overall male and female winners at this leg will earn a ticket to compete at the Campagnolo GFNY World Championship 2020 to be hosted in New York City in May next year. Twenty percent (20%) of finishers from each age group in the long route will also be earning a coveted start seeding in the GFNY Qualifier Corral for 380 days, including at the Campagnolo GFNY World Championship 2020.

GFNY is the global cycling marathon brand with events held in New York City, Argentina, Bali-Indonesia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Italy, Jerusalem-Israel, Indonesia, Cozumel-Mexico, Monterrey-Mexico, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, Dominican Republic, Santa Fe-USA, and Uruguay.

Iloilo Business Park is Megaworld’s 72-hectare township in Mandurriao district in Iloilo City. Envisioned as the city’s next central business district, the township is home to luxury residential condominiums, state-of-the-art office towers, world-class accommodations via Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo and Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, Festive Walk Mall, Festive Walk Parade, the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Iloilo Convention Center.