Martinez dominates foes in LPGMA Tour

SAN JOSE, Tarlac , Philippines  – Tomas Martinez of Smart used his familiarity with the route to rule Stage 5 of the 2010 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers Association (LPGMA) Tour of Luzon yesterday at the Tarlac Monastery here.

While most of the riders we’re caught off-guard by the challenging course, Martinez hardly encountered any difficulty after three hours, six minutes, 11.61 seconds for a solo finish at the end of their 145-kilometer ride from Clark, Pampanga.

“Matagal na ako nag-eensayo sa mga bundok na ito (I’ve been training for some time in these mountains) ,” said the 29-year-old RP team rider who hails from Baras-Baras, Tarlac. “Mahirap dito pero nasanay na din (It’s tough here I got used to it).”

Dennis Von Nickalk of EMG Cycling came 12.43 seconds later followed by Arnel Quirimit of Liquigaz (50.18), Kelly Benefit skipper Reid Mumford (1:02.78), American Vinyl’s Cris Joven (1:27.3) and Tots Oledan (1:33.27), Batang Tagaytay’s Daniel Asto (1:33.27) and Alfredo Asuncion (1:38.33).

Completing the top 10 in the lap backed by partylist group LPGMA, Liquigaz, GeoEstate Beacon, Burlington, Energizer and Schick were Renato Sembrano of GeoEstate (1:57.53) and Santi Barnachea of Liquigaz (1:57.53).

Mumford grabbed the overall lead with a total time of nine hours, two minutes, 44.53 seconds while erstwhile leaders Ryan Anderson of Kelly Benefits (3:38.11) and James Perry of EMG (4:05.50) lost the pole position after falling eighth and ninth, respectively.

David Veilleux of Kelly Benefits moved up to second (9.54), Nickalk improved to third (19.37) and Barnachea made a surprise progress to fourth overall (2:05.02). Asuncion (2:50.51), Oledan (2:55.29) and Tolentino (3:12.11) also made it into the top 10.

 Martinez broke free in the final 17 kms at the foot of the hill with Nickalk, Querimit, Mumford and Joven chasing him more than five minutes away.