Riders take part in the 2017 Prudential Ride London. Photo courtesy of the Prudential Ride London website

MANILA, Philippines – Eight Filipino cyclists, who will compete in the Prudential Ride London, will receive a morale boost in a formal send-off on Thursday at the Brewery at The Palace in Taguig City.

"We have our Filipino contingent who will carry our flag in London. We will honor them and cheer themas they prepare to give us pride in London," said Allan Tumbaga, Pru Life UK vice president and chief marketing officer, during the Philippine Sportswriters Association forum on Tuesday.

The Philippine contingent, anchored by Jermyn Prado of Standard Insurance, Ishmael Gorospe of Go For Gold, Jeremy Marana and Aidan Mendoza of Team Corratec, will compete in the Prudential Ride London on July 28 to 29.

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The event is considered the biggest cycling festival in the world.

The all-expense paid trip to London was part of the cyclists' prizes after winning the Pru Ride Pilipinas series, held last January in Subic and in BGC.

"We are doing this annually in the Philippines and in London to promote recreational activity, especially cycling, that encourages people to cycle more safely and more often," said Tumbaga.

"We promote the use of the bike in going to the workplace," he added. "In our office, we have showers for our employees who go to work via bike."

"The more bikers we have, the more we help conserve our environment and decongest traffic."

Also to be revealed in Thursday's send-off are the special jerseys for the Filipino riders. 

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.

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