Two-time South Korean national champion Joo Dae Yeong is hailed the individual overall winner of the MPTC Tour of Luzon, besting his closest opponent over eight stages by just six seconds.
Baguio City—Joo Dae Yeong fended off his fiercest rivals in the final stage won by Joshua Pascual of Excellent Noodles to rule the MPTC Tour of Luzon.
Although Joo arrived long after Pascual crossed the line in four hours, 16 minutes and 14 seconds, it was enough for the top rider from Gapyeong Cycling Team to seize the individual overall general classification title and the P1-million champion’s purse.
Joo’s road to cycling immortality suffered several bumps and hurdles along the way after five of his seven teammates dropped out of the race presented by Duckworld PH and Cignal prior to the last lap that flagged off in Lingayen, Pangasinan.
The two-time South Korean national champion likewise suffered a flat three-fourths of the way during the 177.54km ride and trek that concluded at Camp John Hay in a long and swerving uphill finish.
"I just took it one day at a time and kept going despite losing my teammates. I am happy to get this done," said Joo. "This is my biggest victory in a cycling race so far."
But the biggest threat came when Jan Paul Morales nearly pry the overall crown loose from his grip. Morales checked in second in the stage, 2:20 behind Pascual and wound up within six seconds off Joo.
"Sayang pero masaya pa rin ako. Mag-retire na sana ako kung ako ang nag-champion," said the 39-year-old Morales, who recovered from a crash in the opening stage in Paoay, Ilocos Norte. "Susubukan ko ulit next year."
Jonel Carcueva of MPT Drivehub placed third in the lap, 2:37 back, after surviving the giant climb in the last 32 kilometers going to the iconic Lion’s Head on Kennon Road.
Joo assembled 22 hours, 21 minutes and eight seconds over eight days in the cycling marathon backed by Pilipinas Live, Meralco, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Maynilad, Metro Pacific Health, Megaworld, Landco, PLDT and Smart.
Morales pocketed the P500,000 runners-up prize in the slimmest of margins in Tour history while his team finished second in the overall team general classification.
Overall, Carcueva landed third, 52 seconds behind Joo, Nichol Pareja of Victoria Sports Cycling Team ended up fourth, 54 back, Jeremy Lizardo of Standard Insurance fifth (2:32 behind) and Rench Michael Bondon of 7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines sixth (3:07).
James Paul Ryan Escumbien (3:34) and Jerico Jay Lucero (3:42) of Go For Gold Cycling Team wound up seventh and eighth while Ronald Oranza of Standard Insurance finished ninth (3:45) and Rustom Lim of MPT Drivehub 10th (3:57).
The Tour’s great revival is sanctioned by PhilCycling and endorsed by the Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, Games and Amusements Board, BCDA and MVP Sports Foundation.
Mervin Corpuz, who started the day at second overall and barely two minutes behind Joo, plummeted to 38th overall after crossing the line way slower than Pascual.
As consolation, Corpuz managed to seize the sprint king award, Pascual was named Eagle of the Mountain and Escumbien was adjudged best young rider with MPT Drivehub securing the overall team GC worth P1 million.