Nuvali has announced that it will be staging this year’s Philippine qualifying leg of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Mountain Bike (MTB) World Championship at the annual “Dirt Weekend” on November 6, 7 and 8 at Nuvali in Laguna. UCI is the international governing body on sports cycling and competitive cycling events. Started in 2009, Dirt Weekend is now recognized as one of the country’s premium racing events among professional MTB riders and enthusiasts alike.
“We are honored that Nuvali is hosting this prestigious international cycling event. Biking is part of the environmentally-responsible culture that we are cultivating in Nuvali. We continuously develop programs that are attuned to the local biking community - programs that promote a healthier lifestyle by encouraging biking as a mode of transportation and recreation. Also, we would like to serve as a platform for globally competitive athletes from the Philippines to get a chance to compete in the global stage,” said John Estacio, Nuvali General Manager.
Nuvali is a 2,290-hectare masterplanned mixed-use development that straddles the cities of Sta. Rosa, Cabuyao and Calamba in Laguna. It is Ayala Land’s largest estate development to date with approximately 50% of the whole development dedicated to green and open spaces. Through the years, it has become a notable stomping ground for outdoor adventure enthusiasts via its nature amenities such as the 35-kilometer mountain bike and running trail. It also features a multi-functional lake, hiking paths, and a Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary. To get to Nuvali, one can get off the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) at the Mamplasan, Sta. Rosa, Eton-Greenfield, Silangan and Canlubang exits. Nuvali is also accessible via public buses that ply to and from the estate from major centers like Makati, Bonifacio Global City and Balibago.
Dirt Weekend will feature four MTB races, each requiring a unique set of mountain biking skills, throughout a three-day period of non-stop festivities revolving around the popular cycling sport. The main event is the UCI Cross Country Marathon (XCM) World Series qualifying race which enables top finishers to move up to the 2016 Cross Country Marathon World Championship in France. The XCM course on Nuvali runs for 70 kilometers and is riddled with technical descents as well as rocky paths and obstacles, designed to mimic a mountain terrain. The UCI Cross Country Olympic (XCO) is similar to the XCM but shorter at 35 kilometers. The XCO is a “Registered Class 3” UCI race that lets elite riders earn UCI points. The Four Cross Race is a gravity or downhill event that features four riders racing at the same time through a challenging BMX-like trail of jumps, drops and obstacles, with the top finisher proceeding to the next round. The Dirt Weekend Cross Country Race is Nuvali’s signature cycling event that draws over 1,000 riders yearly to the estate in an exhilarating dash around its 35-kilometer dirt trail.
“This year, we are expecting over 5,000 visitors to Nuvali for the Dirt Weekend, including 1,500 riders. We strive to make Dirt Weekend an enjoyable gathering place for competitive bikers and fun riders by staging challenging races that cater to all skill levels, as well as entertaining fringe activities such as a bike expo and food fair for all,” said Estacio.
In the weeks leading up to Dirt Weekend, bike enthusiasts can participate in special activities designed to build the momentum for the grand three-day event. On October 17 and 18, Ayala Malls Solenad in Nuvali will hold a bike expo at the Solenad Activity Park. The outdoor-themed premium shopping complex is one of Nuvali’s newest leisure attractions featuring new dining and shopping spots, bike lanes, spacious walkways, a fully-packed playground and pocket gardens.
On the same weekend, Nuvali will also hold a bike clinic designed to introduce newbies to the sport of mountain biking.
Over the years, Dirt Weekend has created massive ripples across the MTB community as a leading pioneer in staging world-class cycling events, a testament of its enthusiasm and support to the Philippine cycling scene. In 2012, Dirt Weekend summoned hundreds of riders around the country with the staging of the first Enduro Race in the Philippines. The following year, it created another round of excitement among dirt riders when Nuvali became the venue for the first UCI Philippine MTB National Championship and the first Philippine MTB Marathon National Championship, garnering over 1,000 participants in attendance.
“As we all know motor vehicles account for a substantial portion of greenhouse gas emission. If we are to reverse or mitigate the effects of climate change, we must find an alternative and more sustainable means of transportation. That’s why in Nuvali, when we plan the whole estate, we made sure biking is a priority. We have put together infrastructure that will allow such. We have dedicated bike lanes, we are starting with our bike share program and we have also established dedicated off road biking and running trails.” concluded Estacio.
Nuvali is a complete self-supporting eco-community that is home to 12,000 residential units, two business process outsourcing (BPO) buildings, a leisure shopping mall, and two prestigious schools. A world-class health facility is set to rise on the estate grounds by the second quarter of 2016.