Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino is ramping up efforts to complete the country’s first indoor track cycling facility built to International Cycling Union (UCI) standards. The Tagaytay City velodrome, set for inauguration later this month, is positioned to become the centerpiece of the nation’s growing cycling infrastructure.

“If you build, they will come,” said Tolentino, quoting the 1989 film Field of Dreams, as he emphasized the transformative vision behind the velodrome project.

From dream to reality: Tagaytay’s rise as cycling hub

Tagaytay City has become the Philippines’ premier cycling destination. “Road cycling? We got technical and treacherous climbs. BMX? We got the UCI-homologated BMX Racing track, the only one in the country. Freestyle? We got the park right beside the BMX track,” said Tolentino, who is also mayor of Tagaytay.

While attending the Southeast Asian Games Federation meeting in Bangkok, Tolentino met with Thai cycling federation president General Decha Hemkasri to source additional track bikes needed to complete the facility.

“This isn’t just about Tagaytay becoming a sports hub. It’s about reviving the Philippines’ cycling prestige,” Tolentino said, noting that the national federation, PhilCycling, will be fielding two male and one female cyclist for the omnium event in the upcoming SEA Games in Thailand.

Philippines joins Asia’s elite cycling nations

With the construction of the 250-meter wooden velodrome by Canadian firm Junek Velodrome—run by UCI-recognized designer Peter Junek—the Philippines now joins Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, and India as Asian nations with UCI-grade indoor cycling tracks.

The velodrome features a 7.1-meter-wide track with steep embankments engineered for optimal high-speed performance.

“We are on track,” Tolentino declared, signaling the Philippines’ renewed ambition to compete at the highest levels of international cycling.