Joseph Javiniar won the Tour of Luzon Stage 7 time trial by being 38 seconds ahead of Joo Dae Yeong. But the South Korean cyclist is determined to protect his ownership of the yellow jersey.
Labrador, Pangasinan—Joseph Javiniar neatly navigated the 15-kilometer course under intense heat while racing against the clock to rule Wednesday’s penultimate stage of MPTC Tour of Luzon.
The sprint specialist from Excellent Noodles Cycling Team reached the line in 17 minutes and 25 seconds, rising above everybody else in this individual time trial that served as a prelude to the ultimate prize awaiting them in the final stage in Baguio City the following day.
Overall leader Joo Dae Yeong finished second, 38 seconds slower than the lap winner, and Mervin Corpuz completed the podium, 52 seconds back after Stage 7 of the eight-day cycling marathon presented by Duckworld PH and Cignal.
"Medyo hindi maganda ang gising ko kanina. Naka-recover lang ako sa warm up at maganda ang naging resulta," said Javiniar of his second stage victory.
Joo, who rides for Gapyeong Cycling Team remained in possession of the yellow jersey—the shirt symbolic of the overall leadership—for the seventh consecutive stage.
"I am ready to protect the yellow jersey. I just saved my energy, so I’ll be prepared for it," said Joo, who has been riding in yellow since winning the opening stage in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.
Corpuz, who jumped from fifth to second overall after Stage 6, saw Joo’s advantage rise to two minutes and 10 seconds entering the final lap of the bikathon supported by Pilipinas Live, Meralco, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Maynilad, Metro Pacific Health, Megaworld, Landco, PLDT and Smart.
Nichol Pareja of Victoria Sports Cycling Team rose to third overall after finishing fourth in the ITT, 3:05 adrift of the South Korean pacesetter and Jan Paul Morales moved a notch up to fourth, 3:09 back.
They dislodged Jeremy Lizardo (3:14 behind) of Standard Insurance and Jonel Carcueva (3:36) of MPT Drivehub, who dropped to fifth and sixth. Jerico Lucero (4:03) of Go For Gold Cycling Team improved to seventh as well as Mar Francis Sudario at eighth (4:21).
"Maganda naman ang performance ko dito sa time trial. Focus na ako bukas sa mga ahon ng Baguio," said Corpuz, a nephew of three-time Tour champion Santy Barnachea and MPT Drivehub coach.
Joo, who assembled an accumulated clocking of 17 hours, 59 minutes and 37 seconds after seven days, is bracing himself for Thursday’s gigantic climb covering 177.54 kilometers from Lingayen to Camp John Hay in Baguio City where the champion will be determined.
The eight-stage race is sanctioned by PhilCycling and endorsed by the Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, Games and Amusements Board, BCDA and MVP Sports Foundation.
Rench Michael Bondoc of 7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines fell to ninth from sixth (4:21) and Ronald Oranza, who plummeted to 13th before the day began, recovered his bearings to stay at 10th (4:58).