NUVALI Dirt Weekend 2013

Country’s first-ever Mountain Bike National Championship set to recognize Filipino athletes & help rebuild homes in Iloilo.

Spent three days witnessing, from November 15 to 17, 2013, NUVALI became a virtual cycling mecca when they gathered cyclists from all over the country for the biggest and first-ever Mountain Bike National Championship happened at Sta. Rosa, Laguna, the NUVALI Dirt Weekend 2013.

On its fifth year, the sprawling Laguna community south of Manila hosted the first UCI National Mountain Bike Championships divided into three thrilling, action-packed events namely Cross Country Olympics, Downhill-Individual, and Four Cross Race.

Winners of the National championships was able get the all-important points from no less than the Switzerland-based world governing body Union Cyclist International (UCI) that allow riders to race in specific international races that require points, and also help in the ranking of the national riders that becomes an advantage in their positions at the start and during important races like the SEAGAMES, Asian Games, Asian Championships and other registered UCI races.

The premier sports venue believes in the Filipino cyclist’s talent, which is further attested to by UCI and national federation Integrated Cycling Confederation of the Philippines (Philcycling). This year’s Dirt Weekend theme “Pilipinong Siklista” showcases the quality and future of professional cyclists in the country.

NUVALI Dirt Weekend 2013 distinguishes itself from previous editions as it features more events and races for professional cyclists and bike enthusiasts and beginner cyclists can take part in. Aside from the three UCI Registered events (XCO, DHI and 4X), NUVALI Dirt Weekend 2013 also features six Non-UCI registered mountain bike events namely NUVALI 30kms XC RACE and 24 Hour Race and the Philippine Duathlon Series Championships, Kid’s Championship Race, Fixie events (Fixie Criterium Championships and Fixie Alley Cat), and Folding Bike Bi-Modal Ride.

In keeping with the 2,290-hectare Ayala Land development’s thrust toward a community steeped in sustainable living, NUVALI’s flagship outdoor cycling event joined the celebration of the Climate Change Week through a cycling activity with the Climate Change Commission. Dubbed as the Folding Bike Bi-Modal Ride, about 100 folding bikers are expected to bike to a pick up point (Trinoma and BGC). The Dirt Weekend buses were able to transport the bikers to NUVALI to bike around the eco-city development as a group. The environmentally-tinged pursuit culminates with a tree-planting activity and performances by various Dakila artists comprised of Nityalila, Bayang Barrios and Noel Cabangon. 

With the recent catastrophic damages caused by the typhoon in Visayas, NUVALI together with Dirt Weekend 2013 organizers, supporters, and participants donated a percentage of the registration fees to help with the rehabilitation of the homes in coastal areas of Carles and Estancia, Iloilo. Funds for new fishing gear to the affected local fishermen shall also be provided.

Through time, NUVALI has earned a reputation as the perfect choice of venue where sports activities that range from marathons, fun runs, wakeboarding, and this annual cycling event thrive. These sports meets, the NUVALI 2013 Dirt Weekend in particular, as made possible by the eco-community’s accessibility, safety, scenic bike trails and challenging terrain, serve to prove to all and sundry that Filipino athletes, specifically cyclists, are at pat with the best of the world.

To learn more about NUVALI, visit www.nuvali.ph or call 0917-5ASKNUV (275688). You can also follow NUVALI on Facebook and Twitter @Nuvaliofficial