MANILA – The Larga Pilipinas cycling tournament has been rescheduled to a later date due to the severe effects of the inclement weather over the past weeks.

The six-day race, originally scheduled to start on Aug. 2, will kick off on Nov. 29.

“It’s quite unfortunate because the teams prepared hard for this. But as we speak, there are areas in Northern Luzon especially in the Cordilleras that are currently isolated because of the heavy rains,” Larga Pilipinas operations head Snow Badua said during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) forum at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.

“Northern Luzon was heavily battered that’s why in close coordination with the different LGUs (local government units), we needed to reset, also upon the advice by PhilCycling president Abraham Tolentino,” he added.

Badua said the weather in November in Northern Luzon should be a lot better for the races to be conducted safely.

“Let the typhoon season pass first. Let's give the LGUs (local government units) all the time to focus on the situation and let's not add to their thoughts," he said.

All teams, particularly those from abroad that were supposed to arrive on Wednesday, have been informed of the rescheduling. (PNA)