Tagaytay CT Velodrome earns UCI certification as ACC Track and Para Track Championships kick off

Tagaytay has shifted gears from regional contender to global contender. As at the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) Track and Para Track Championships, the Tagaytay CT Velodrome officially earned a Category A homologation from the International Cycling Union (UCI), a designation that unlocks the door to hosting world cups and even cycling’s most prestigious competitions.

“We are now officially a UCI track destination. With a Category A homologation, we can now host world cups and even the world championships,” said PhilCycling president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino on Thursday. 

As signed by UCI Track and Indoor Cycling Manager Jessika Grand Bois which was made before the 16‑nation, 600‑participant championships began and the Philippines is hosting this marquee event for the first time in 31 years.

At its core, the certification represents more than a stamp of approval, it’s a milestone in the country’s long road to international cycling relevance. With the track now meeting the highest global standards, elite athletes and fans alike can expect more major events to roll through this once‑quiet cycling hub.

Traditional powerhouses China, Chinese‑Taipei, and South Korea have surfaced as the dominant forces on the opening day. 

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WATCH. Team Philippines during the parade of teams at the opening ceremony of the Asian Track Cycling Championships at CT Velodrome in Tagaytay City on Wednesday (March 25, 2026). A total of 16 countries are participating in the tournament organized by PhilCyling. (PNA video by… pic.twitter.com/zBrPmiU57r

— Philippine News Agency (@pnagovph) March 25, 2026

China dazzled in the sprint finals, capturing gold in both the men’s and women’s elite categories with a blistering 42.981‑second run, leaving Japan trailing and Hong Kong with silver.

Amid the high‑octane battles, the host nation’s athletes faced their baptism of fire on home soil. The Philippine contingent tackled world‑class competition with grit and growth in mind.

“The disappointments are expected, but the good thing about the team is that the riders bettered themselves from training,” said PhilCycling track coach Virgilio Espiritu, acknowledging that the leap into elite competition is as much about learning as winning.

The Philippines fielded several squads across categories, Prince Andrei Pedragosa, Asher Job Albo, and Kaizel Jizmundo sprinted in the men’s junior team event while Marlen Marasigan, Althea Mae Campana, and Angeline Elvira carried the fight for the women and Matt Andrei Gonzalo, Archie Cardana, and Marcus Gabriel Ricalde raced for the men’s elite unit.

Though the home riders may not have topped the podium yet, their exposure to this elevated level of racing could pay dividends in the long run. 

With support structures strengthening and international competition on the horizon, the Philippines’ cycling story is just beginning—fuelled by fresh ambition and a world‑class track.

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