Galedo surges to Ronda overall lead

ANTIPOLO, Philippines - – 7-Eleven’s Mark Galedo finished strong in a six-man group that checked in at fourth to snatch the overall lead from Santy Barnachea of Navy-Standard Insurance in an eventful Stage Six of the Ronda Pilipinas International 2014 here yesterday.

Racing on a familiar route, Galedo rallied from way back in the fourth group and even went for a stage win before settling down for a joint fourth place finish with reigning champion Irish Valenzuela of Army, PLDT-Maynilad’s Junrey Navarra, Navy-Standard’s Lloyd Lucien Reynante, Roadbike’s Marcelo Felipe and Cycleline-Butuan Mindanao’s Reimon Lapaza with a three-hour, 34-minute, 25-second clocking over the 153-km Lucena-Antipolo lap.

That proved enough to net the 28-year-old Galedo the overall lead on exactly the same route where he took the top spot en route to winning the second edition crown two years ago.

“There’s something in this stage. I guess I’m lucky here because this is also where I took the lead when I won here two years ago,” said Galedo in Pilipino.

Galedo, seeking to become the first two-time winner of this annual bikathon, pooled a 20:48:30 clocking to seize control over an equally charging Lapaza, who moved to No. 2 just 14 seconds behind at 20:48:16.

Kiwi Jason Christie, who topped the Stage One criterium at the Quezon City Circle last week, won the stage in 3:33:59, beating CCN Danish teammate John Ebsen and Frenchman Peter Pouly of Infinite-Singha, who wound up second with identical times of 3:34:00.

Like Galedo, Lapaza made a big comeback after suffering a punctured rear tire in the railroads of Candelaria, Quezon as he joined the new overall leader in the fourth group.

“I was in the breakaway group early on but I had to slow down after suffering a flat tire,” said the 28-year-old Butuan City native. “Good thing I didn’t give up and fought my way back.”

Mark Julius Bordeos of 7-Eleven also gained in the day as he moved No. 5 to No. 3 in 20:50:49 as the 36-year-old Barnachea, the first Ronda King, dropped to No. 4 at 20:51:31.

Pouly regained his place in the Top 10 at No. 8 in 20:54:10 although the 36-year-old fancied mountain climber remains wary of his chances.

“I’m targeting to win the King of the Mountain here but If I get the chance to win everything, I’ll go for it,” said Pouly. “But it’s going to be tough because I know I’m being watched by the Filipino riders.”

Rounding up the Top 10 were Roadbike’s Marcelo Felipe (20:52:26), PLDT-Maynilad’s Ronald Oranza (20:53:15), Navy-Standard’s George Oconer (20:53:29), Cycleline’s Vicmar Vicente (20:55:26) and Cebu-Kalit Air Force’s Oscar Rindole (20:56:01).

7-Eleven continued to lord it over the field in the team race as it assembled a 62:31:06 clocking, ahead of Navy-Standard (62:37:20) and Cycleline-Butuan Mindanao (62:40:00).

This 14-stage event is presented by LBC, the largest courier and cargo company, sponsored MVP Sports Foundation, Petron, NLEX, Maynilad, PLDT and Mitsubishi, Versa 2 Way Radio and Standard Insurance and minor sponsors Air Asia Zest and C! Magazine, sanctioned by PhilCycling and backed by Shimano Cannondale bikes, the Department of Tourism and Phl National Police chief Allan Purisima.