Morales dominates time trial, eyes LBC Ronda record feat
GUIMARAS – Jan Paul Morales of Navy- Standard dominated the Individual Time Trial in Stage 12 yesterday, moving two days away from becoming the first back-to-back winner of LBC Ronda Pilipinas.
Needing a solid outing to secure the crown, Morales didn’t only put up a strong finish but rule the stage that kicked off and ended at the Provincial Capitol here, clocking one hour, five minutes, 42 seconds in the 40-km ITT.
The Calumpang, Marikinabased rider finished three minutes ahead of teammate Jay Lampawog and Kinetix Lab- Army’s Marvin Tapic, who timed 1:09:13 and 1:09:19, respectively.
He made it look easy by overlapping three rivals, including second running teammate Rudy Roque, Kinetix Lab-Army’s Cris Joven and Go for Gold’s Bryant Sepnio – and nearly caught up with fourth rival – Leonel Dimaano of RC Cola-NCR – at the finish.
With his latest feat, Morales pulled away from Roque with a total 38:31:38, now nine minutes clear of his team, who started the day just two minutes behind the defending champion. Roque has clocking of 38:40:55.
The stage triumph was Morales’ fifth after his victories in Stage Two Criterium in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, the AngelesSubic Stage Three, the Pili-Daet Stage Seven and the Stage Nine criterium in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
His latest win also reduced the final two stages, including today’s 209-km Iloilo-AntiqueIloilo Stage 13, as his coronation ride.
The final stage – a 50km criterium – will be held tomorrow, also in Iloilo.
Barring any untoward incident, Morales will become the very first repeat winner of the annual event, joining Santy Barnachea as the most titled cyclist here with two each.
Barnachea topped the inaugural staging six years ago and duplicated the feat in 2015.
But Morales said it’s still too early to celebrate.
“I can’t celebrate until the race is finished. I have to be extra cautious and ride intelligently,” said Morales.
Joven wound up seventh in the stage in 1:10:54 for an overall 38: 47: 57 clocking, just seven minutes off Roque.
Completing the top 10 are Sepnio (38:55:05), Navy’s Daniel Ven Carino (38:59:07), Dimaano (38:59:24), Navy’s Lloyd Lucien Reynante ( 38: 59: 54), Navy’s Ronald Lomotos ( 39: 00: 20, Ilocos Sur ’ s Ryan Serapio ( 39: 01: 27) and Kinetix LabArmy’s Reynaldo Navarro (39:02:44).
Ronda is staking P1 million to the champion courtesy of presentor LBC and in partnership with MVP Sports Foundation, Petron, Mitsubishi, Versa. ph, Partas, Maynilad, Standard Insurance, CCN, Bike Xtreme, NLEX, PhilCycling and 3Q Sports Event Management.