Jesus Aquino Garcia Jr.’s legendary feat in the 1973 Tour of Luzon earned him a place in the record books as the first cyclist to hold the overall lead from start to finish in a multi-stage race—a record that stood until Renato Dolosa broke it in the 17-stage Marlboro Tour of 1992. He was also the first and only cyclist to receive a Presidential Trophy inside Malacañang Palace, presented by then-First Lady Imelda Marcos and Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile, cementing his status as a national sports hero. Most remarkably, he became the country’s only recording and singing cyclist, uniquely blending sportsmanship and artistry.
Biking Jess Garcia’s legendary triumph in the 1973 revival of the Tour of Luzon cemented his place in history. He outclassed top rivals, including back-to-back champions Jose Sumalde (1964–65) and Cornelio Padilla Jr. (1966–67), both of whom had previously edged him out for the overall title—Sumalde in 1965 and Padilla in 1967. He also decisively defeated his former Pangasinan team captain, Edmundo de Guzman, the 1962 Tour of Luzon grand winner, including the 1973 Rookie and would-be Marlboro Tour 79 titlist Paquito Rivas, among others.
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