Filipino race to include "Expat" category

Organizers of the Puerto Princesa Mountain Bike XC Challenge to be held on January 29-31, 2009, in the Philippines, are considering the addition of a new "Expat" category, for foreigners participating in the event according to balita.ph.

Race Director Joey Mirasol said the event was created for the citizens of the Phillipines, but foreigners would also be welcome. Mirasol has been fielding inquiries from citizens of Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Hong Kong.

He consulted with the only UCI-accredited Mountain Bike Commissaire in the country about how to handle foreign competitors. According to the current plan, the race will host an "Expat-Am" category for amateur foreigners to compete with each other. However, licensed elite racers will instead contest the race's elite category open to all genders, ages and nationalities.

The race will be run at the Magarwak Integrated Recreation & Nature Park of Puerto Princesa City.