Jan Paul Morales outsprints rivals, rules 4th stage

ECHAGUE, Isabela, Philippines — Jan Paul Morales flaunted his sprinting prowess and beat two talented rivals at the finish to snatch Stage 4 honors in Ronda Pilipinas 2018 presented by LBC even as Navy-Standard teammate and overall leader Ronald Oranza held sway after the 135.2-km race from Tuguegarao to the Echague Municipal Hall here yesterday.

Morales, the Stage One second placer and early overall leader, outsprinted George Oconer of Go for Gold and Ronnel Hualda of Go for Gold Developmental team and 10 others in a frantic dash to the finish to claim his first lap win in three hours, seven minutes, 42 seconds.

Part of that big group was the 26-year-old Oranza, who checked in at fourth with the same time to stay on top of the individual overall race with an aggregate time of 13:33:21.

Morales, who moved to No. 3 after Stage 3, improved another rung to close in on Oranza at 13:40:16.

“The plan was just to stay in the lead pack but when I saw an opportunity, I didn’t think twice and took it (lap win),” said Morales, seeking a third straight title in the annual summer bikathon.

Oranza, a native of Villasis, Pangasinan, said he was a bit surprised that their plan of getting the stage victory worked in the race given their rivals’ heavy guarding.

“We didn’t expect that it will work because we know everyone is watching us closely. We just got a chance and pounced on it,” said Oranza.

But the other Navy members fell off the leaderboard with Archie Cardana dropping out of the top 10 after starting the day at No. 2.

“We would have wanted to keep Cardana somewhere near the top but things like this happen and we just have to regroup and find ways to get him back at least in the top 10,” said Morales.

Go for Gold Developmental team’s Jay Lampawog jumped from No. 5 to No. 3 in 13:40:16 while Cris Joven of Army-Bicycology (13:40:57) leapt from No. 7 to No. 4, ahead of another Navy bet Ronald Lomotos (13:40:57), who moved from No. 8 to No. 5. CCN Superteam’s Irish Valenzuela, the 2013 champion, who was also part of the group that checked in behind Morales was at No. 6 in 13:41:22.

Hualda and Navy’s Jhon Mark Camingao also barged into top 10, the former at No. 7 (13:41:34 aggregate) and the latter at No. 8 (13:42:50).

Last year’s runner-up Rudy Roque of Navy is also back at No. 9 with 13:42:44, a notch ahead of Team Franzia’s Leonel Dimaano, who skidded from No. 4 to No. 10 with 13:43:11.

Navy’s strong finish also hiked its lead in team race with a total time of 54:26:06, an imposing 18-minute lead over Go for Gold Developmental team (54:44:01).

Army-Bicycology is at No. 3 with 54:55:26.

Meanwhile, Ronda takes a rest day with action resuming tomorrow with the 179.4-km Stage Five from the Echague Municipal Hall to San Jose City Hall in Nueva Ecija.