Filipinos tasked to defend turf as Tour of Luzon sets grander 2026 edition

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino cyclists once again take the spotlight this summer in a bigger and tougher Tour of Luzon with the task of defending home turf. 

From eight stages in its “Great Revival” last year, the 2026 edition will feature 14 stages covering over 1,800 kilometers across five regions from April 29 to May 13. 

Aside from the P1 million prize for the individual overall winner and P2 million purse for the team champion, pride is at stake for Filipino cyclists as they look to prevent another foreign coronation.

In 2025, Dae Yeong Joo, captain of Korean team Gapyeong, claimed the individual crown, edging local hero Jan Paul Morales of Standard Insurance Philippines by a mere six seconds. 

“To those bearing the flag, you cannot allow a Korean to win the championship, right? Just as in basketball, you cannot allow Korea to beat the Philippines,” said business tycoon and sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan, whose Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation sponsors the Tour of Luzon.

“Good luck to you and just fight.” 

The Tour of Luzon will begin in Batangas on April 29, with Stage 1 featuring a 149km road race from the Calatagan South Beach to Tagaytay City in Cavite, followed by a 40km team time trial from Clark, Pampanga, to the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac for Stage 2. 

Participants will remain in New Clark City to start Stage 3, which is a 146km road race to Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.

Stage 4 showcases the longest road race of 199km from Palayan City to Cordon, Isabela, followed by a 135km road race from Santiago City, Isabela, to Tuguegarao City, Cagayan for Stage 5. 

Action continues for Stage 6 (a 167km road race from Gattaran, Cagayan, to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte) and Stage 7 (a 30km individual time trial in Pagudpud) before a one-day break on May 6. 

The second half of the Tour of Luzon will be held mostly in the Ilocos Region: Stage 8 (125km road race from Pagudpud to Paoay, Ilocos Norte), Stage 9 (142km road race from Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, to Candon City, Ilocos Sur), Stage 10 (186km criterium race in Candon City), Stage 11 (136km road race from Candon City to San Juan, La Union), Stage 12 (149km road race from Agoo, La Union, to Mangatarem, Pangasinan), and Stage 13 (20km individual time trial in Lingayen, Pangasinan). 

Just like last year, the Tour of Luzon will culminate in the Lingayen to Baguio City, Benguet leg for the 177km road race Stage 14 finale on May 13 that includes a demanding climb through the Kennon Road. 

Race technical director and head of commissaire Jun Lomibao said local cyclists and teams are up to the daunting task of claiming the individual and team titles.

“They love the challenge,” said Lomibao. “They’re excited and they’re preparing for it.” 

A total of 20 teams of seven cyclists each will see action, with “some still knocking on the door,” according to Lomibao.

The Tour of Luzon offers P12 million in prize money, nearly double its P7 million prize pool last year when it got revived after being shelved for six years. – Rappler.com