CAPITOL GROUNDS, Bataan – Provincial capitol employees, this morning were greeted by a festive atmosphere highlighted by the colorful streamers and banners of Air 21, MVP Smart Sports Foundation, Petron, Victory Liner, San Mig Zero and Novo Nordisk, complemented by the lively performances of the Bagumbayan Elementary School Drum and Lyre Corps of Pilar town, led by Ms. Alicia Tabugan and Ms. Erlinda Bahilango. The event? Bataan is sending off the cyclists who joined the Le Tour de Filipinas 2015 – 6th Edition to its 2nd leg of the race.
In his message after the flag raising ceremony, Governor Albert S. Garcia, who celebrated his birthday yesterday, thanked the thousands of well wishers who remembered his birthday. He also expressed his gratitude to the organizers of Le Tour de Filipinas for choosing Bataan as the starting point of the race for two consecutive years. His brother, the Mayor of the City of Balanga, Jose Enrique Garcia III took time out from his tasks at the City Hall to join the send off and his brother’s well wishers.
Blue balloons were released by the department heads of the provincial government to wish him all the best in his personal and political life. The organizers of the tour gave the Garcias plaques of appreciation for the full support, smooth coordination and the warm hospitality of the Bataeños. They likewise encouraged the audience to consider biking as a sport and as a recreational activity.
After the awarding of the jerseys to the winners of the first stage of the race, Gov. Abet fired the symbolic shot for the gun start of Stage 2. The bikers will be winding up all the way to Iba, Zambales.
Eric Sheppard of Team ATG from Australia got the yellow and purple jerseys for the overall and sprint leader awards; Oleg Zemiakov of the Kazakhstan National Team got the white jersey for the young leader award and Mark John Galedo of the Team 7-Eleven the green jersey for the Philippine leader award.
