Tour of Camarines Sur Set to Start, Highlights Kaogma 2011

Pili, Camarines Sur (May 21, 2011) - Up to 5 million pesos in cash prizes are at stake in the Tour of Camarines Sur,  a biking competition held annually as part of the celebration of the foundation anniversary of the province, known as the Kaogma Festival.

The province sponsors this event, and this year Gov.  LRay Villafuerte has expanded the field of competitors to also include international cyclists of top caliber.

To further stimulate tourism in the Bikol region, according to Gov. Villafuerte, the race route has been extended.  With Pasay City Metro Manila as start point,  cyclists shall navigate through the popular coastlines of Southern Luzon.

The Tour of Camarines Sur 2011  starts at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City  today, May 21, and ends at the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex, Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur on May 29-- just in time for the celebration of the 432nd Foundation Day of the province.

The cycling event consists of 9 laps or stages covering a 1000-kilometer distance traversing the cities of Lipa and Lucena; the provinces of Laguna, Batangas, Quezon and Camarines Norte, the towns of Calauag Quezon, Sipocot Camarines Sur, Naga City, Pili Camarines Sur, going all the way south to Iriga City, Ligao City Tabaco City and the towns of Albay along the Maharlika Highway.

THe Tour is also supported by the business sector and the governors of the provinces along the race route -- Gov. Vilma Santos of Batangas, Gov. Jayjay Suarez of Quezon at Gov Egay Tallado of Camarines Norte.