The Philippines will host the 45th Asian Cycling Confederation Track Championships from March 25 to 31, marking the return of the event to the country after 31 years. The competition will take place at the new Tagaytay City CT Velodrome, with 12 nations and more than 200 athletes already confirmed as of Thursday, Jan. 8.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who also leads PhilCycling, highlighted the historic significance of the event. “It’s been three decades since the country hosted the Asian track championships—1995 at the Amoranto Velodrome in Quezon City,” he said, emphasizing the importance of providing top-tier facilities for the athletes.

New velodrome and full local support

The Tagaytay City CT Velodrome meets International Cycling Union (UCI) standards and represents a major upgrade for the region. Tagaytay City Mayor Aizack Brent Tolentino pledged full support for the event, which will feature competitions in sprint, keirin, time trial, team sprint, individual and team pursuit, points race, scratch, omnium, Madison, and elimination events for both men and women.

The championships will also host the 14th Asian Para Track Cycling Championships, with six events for men and women, including the 1-kilometer time trial, individual pursuit, sprint, elimination, and scratch races. The Philippine Sports Commission, led by Patrick “Patò” Gregorio, is fully supporting the simultaneous event.

Strong competition expected

Confirmed nations include powerhouse Japan, South Korea, China, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and host Philippines. Japan dominated the 2025 championships in Thailand, winning 16 of 22 gold medals, while Malaysia claimed two, and South Korea, China, Hong Kong, and Uzbekistan won one each.

Tolentino expects the number of participating countries to grow, surpassing last year’s 10-nation turnout in Nilai, Malaysia. The registration deadline is set for Jan. 15. The ACC president, Dato’ Amarjit Singh Gill, joined Tolentino for the velodrome inauguration in June last year, recognizing the venue as one of only 12 velodromes in Asia. Tagaytay City’s facility is now positioned as a key indoor track cycling hub in Southeast Asia.

The old Amoranto Velodrome along Tomas Morato Avenue in Quezon City was demolished last year to make way for a football pitch, making Tagaytay’s new facility the center of Philippine track cycling.