By Jean Malanum

OBSERVER. Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino (left) watches the conduct of the Track Asia Cupat the Suphan Buri Velodrome in Thailand on Thursday (Aug. 28, 2025) as part of the country’s preparation for the hosting of the 2026 Asian Cycling Championships in Tagaytay City, Cavite. With him is Thailand Cycling Association president General Decha Hemkasri. (Photo courtesy of POC) 

MANILA – Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino is observing first-hand the conduct of the 2025 Track Asia Cup in Suphan Buri, Thailand, as part of the country’s preparation for hosting the 2026 Asian Cycling Confederation Track Championships.

The ACC Track Championships will be held at the newly-built Tagaytay CT Velodrome in Cavite on March 25-31.

“It will be the first time in 30 years that the Philippines is hosting an Asian-level track championships and we want to make sure on its success,” Tolentino, who also serves as cycling federation president, said in a press statement Thursday.

Thailand Cycling Association president, Gen. Decha Hemkasri, welcomed Tolentino at the opening ceremony on Thursday at the Suphan Buri Velodrome, which has hosted the same competition several times in the past.

The Suphan Buri Velodrome is a 333-meter concrete and open-air track facility, while the Tagaytay CT Velodrome is wood and indoor, with an International Cycling Union Olympic and world championship standard length of 250 meters.

Tolentino is also using the ocular to survey the facility that will be the venue of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games track competitions in December.

A total of 28 national and club teams are participating in the Track Asia Cup – set Thursday until Saturday.

“With 28 teams, these competitions approximate the ACC championships where we expect track cyclists from 40 Asian countries to converge in Tagaytay City,” said Tolentino. (PNA)