The Philippines takes center stage in Asian cycling as it hosts the 45th Asian Cycling Confederation Track Cycling Championships and the 14th Asian Para Track Cycling Championships, marking a historic return of the event to the country after three decades. The prestigious tournament officially opens on Wednesday, March 25, at the Tagaytay City Track Velodrome.

Leading the opening ceremony are ACC president Dato’ Amarjit Singh Gill and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio, alongside Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino. The presence of top sports officials underscores the significance of the event for both Philippine and Asian cycling.

The championships mark the first time since 1995 that the country is staging the continental meet, now held at the newly built UCI-standard 250-meter indoor facility in Tagaytay. The venue serves as a major milestone for Philippine cycling infrastructure and international hosting capabilities.

Historic hosting signals growth of Philippine cycling

Abraham Tolentino highlighted the magnitude of the event, describing it as the largest international track cycling competition hosted by Tagaytay City and the Philippines in the last 30 years. He also pointed to the strong turnout as a sign of the sport’s continued growth across the region.

More than 600 athletes from 16 Asian nations are set to compete, making this edition one of the most participated in ACC track championships history. The opening ceremony begins at 9 a.m., with competitions kicking off an hour later.

Tagaytay City Mayor Brent Tolentino has thrown full support behind the event, along with key partners including the Philippine Sports Commission, MVP Sports Foundation, Sports Plus PH, Toyota, and Peak. Their backing reflects a collaborative effort to elevate the country’s profile in international sports hosting.

Wide range of events set across track and para competitions

A total of 44 gold medals will be contested in the main track cycling championships, while 30 gold medals are up for grabs in the para track events running simultaneously until March 31. The packed schedule ensures high-level competition across multiple disciplines.

Track cycling events include individual and team pursuit, sprint, keirin, elimination race, omnium, points race, scratch race, Madison, and the 1-kilometer time trial for both men and women. These events will test speed, endurance, and tactical precision among Asia’s top riders.

The para track cycling competitions will feature individual pursuit, 1,000-meter time trial, sprint, elimination, scratch race, and mixed team and tandem sprints. These races highlight inclusivity and the growing prominence of para sports on the continental stage.

Participating nations include Chinese-Taipei, Hong Kong-China, Indonesia, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Macao-China, Malaysia, China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and host Philippines. The diverse field sets the stage for intense rivalries and standout performances throughout the week.