Ean Cajucom found the energy for one more sprint, getting the Stage 3 victory of The Tour of Luzon to Victoria Sports Cycling Team.
San Juan, La Union—Ean Cajucom ruled Stage 3 in a high-velocity mass finish even as South Joo Dae-Yeong retained the overall leadership in the MPTC Tour of Luzon.
Cajucom, who rides for Victoria Sports Cycling Team, nosed out Ahmad Syazrin Awang Ilah and Poul Aquino, who reached the podium by winding up second and third with identical clockings.
"Wala akong idea kung sino nasa paligid ko. Nag-sprint na lang ako sa last 500 (meters)," said Cajucom after reaching the line in two hours, 51 minutes and 42 seconds.
Joo, the opening stage winner in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, held on to the yellow jersey of leadership after floating with his closest challengers almost throughout the scorching 133.30-kilometer route from Vigan City to this northern surfing capital.
Gapyeong Cycling Team’s premier sprinter stayed with a swarm of riders in the second group before attacking near the finish that bridged the gap with the eight-man lead pack.
Overall, Joo remains over four minutes ahead of Ronald Oranza of Standard Insurance Philippines in the eight-stage race presented by Duckworld PH and Cignal.
Aidan James Mendoza of Go For Gold lay at third, 4:40 behind the yellow jersey wearer followed by Dominic Perez at fourth (4:44), George Oconer at fifth (4:46), Mervin Corpuz (4:50), Rustom Lim (4:54) and Malaysian Faiz Fakhri Omar (5:27).
"We hope to maintain our position for as long as we can," said Joo.
Cajucom was part of that eight-man breakaway bunch that held sway for almost two hours before the group of Joo along with the other contenders in the overall general classification gobbled them up in nearby Bacnotan town, five kilometers from the finish.
For the team event, Standard Insurance Philippines remains ahead with a record of 28:38:24 after Stage 3.
Sunday’s Stage 4 will kick off in Agoo, La Union to Clark in Pampanga, taking the entourage once more on 160 kms of flat grounds across the plains of Pangasinan and Tarlac.
The individual general classification champion will earn P500,000 while the team champion brings home P1 million in the race also backed by Pilipinas Live, Meralco, Maynilad, Metro Pacific Health, Megaworld, Landco, PLDT and Smart.
The Tour’s great revival is endorsed by the Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, Games and Amusements Board, BCDA and MVP Sports Foundation.
"It’s hard to say what will happen over the next couple of days. I’ll just try my best and be as safe and healthy as possible," said Joo, South Korea’s two-time national champion.
The race ends in Baguio City in Stage 8 where the champion will be crowned.