The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Baguio city—Two-time Korean national champion Dae-Yeong Joo is the undisputed winner of the MPTC Tour of Luzon: The Great Revival.
Joo overcame his toughest challengers in the final stage to emerge as the champion of prestigious, eight-stage cycling competition at the Camp John Hay here Thursday.
Although Joo finished well behind stage winner Joshua Pascual of Excellent Noodles, who clocked in four hours, 16 minutes, and 14 seconds, the top rider from Gapyeong Cycling Team did enough to secure the individual general classification crown and the P1-million champion’s prize.
Joo’s path to victory was far from smooth.
Five of his seven teammates withdrew before the final lap, which started in Lingayen, Pangasinan and ended in this popular summer destination in the event presented by Duckworld PH and Cignal.
Joo also suffered a flat tire with about a quarter of the 177.54-kilometer stage remaining, but still powered through to the finish line at City of Pines after a grueling, winding uphill climb.
“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 my cycling career so far,” he added.
Jan Paul Morales nearly wrested the overall crown from Joo’s grip.
Morales crossed the line second in the stage, some two minutes and 20 seconds behind Pascual, and finished just six seconds shy of overtaking Joo in the general classification.
The 39-year-old Morales bounced back from a crash in the opening stage in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.
“Sayang pero masaya pa rin ako. Mag-retire na sana ako kung ako ang nag-champion. Susubukan ko ulit next year,” said Morales.
Jonel Carcueva of MPT Drivehub secured third place in the stage, finishing two minutes and 37 seconds behind the winner after enduring the grueling final 32-kilometer climb to the iconic Lion’s Head on Kennon Road.
Dae-Yeong Joo tallied a total time of 22 hours, 21 minutes, and eight seconds over eight days of racing in the cycling marathon supported by Pilipinas Live, Meralco, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Maynilad, Metro Pacific Health, Megaworld, Landco, PLDT, and Smart.
Morales, who came within just six seconds of Joo, took home the P500,000 runner-up prize in what turned out to be the narrowest margin in Tour history.
His team also finished second in the overall team general classification.
Carcueva clinched third overall, trailing Joo by just 52 seconds. Nichol Pareja of Victoria Sports Cycling Team placed fourth, 54 seconds back, followed by Jeremy Lizardo of Standard Insurance in fifth (2:32 behind), and Rench Michael Bondon of 7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines in sixth (3:07).
Rounding out the top 10 were James Paul Ryan Escumbien (3:34) and Jerico Jay Lucero (3:42) of Go For Gold Cycling Team, Ronald Oranza of Standard Insurance (3:45), and Rustom Lim of MPT Drivehub (3:57).
The Tour’s highly-anticipated revival was sanctioned by PhilCycling and endorsed by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Games and Amusements Board, (GAB) BCDA, and MVP Sports Foundation.
Mervin Corpuz, who began the day in second place overall and just under two minutes behind Joo, suffered a dramatic drop to 38th after a disappointing stage finish.
Despite the setback, Corpuz captured the Sprint King title. Pascual earned the Eagle of the Mountain award, Escumbien was named Best Young Rider, and MPT Drivehub claimed the overall team general classification crown and the P1-million prize.