Tour final week: final bloodbath

PAGUDPUD, Ilocos Norte, Philippines — A battle royale.

That’s how the final seven stages shape up for the 77 remaining cyclists of the original 89, all re-energized after a much-needed rest day. They return to action today for Stage 8 of the MPTC Tour of Luzon, a 148-km ride from Pagudpud to Paoay.

“It will be tough in the last stages, but we’ll work as a team,” said yellow jersey holder Nikita Shulchenko of LCW UAE during yesterday’s media briefing at Villa Manuela’s Coco Bar and Grill, overlooking the white sands of Saud Beach.

The Russian has been unflappable at the top for four straight stages. He tightened his grip on the lead after dominating Tuesday’s Stage 7 Individual Time Trial here in Pagudpud, the “Boracay of the North.”

After seven stages covering 816.1 kilometers and nine climbs, Shulchenko leads with a total time of 19 hours, 31 minutes, and 20 seconds – 1:38 ahead of teammate Ibrahiem Alrefai.

“It will be a big responsibility for our team to hold onto the yellow jersey in the last seven stages,” said the 19-year-old Syrian Alrefai. “But we’re doing our best for our teammate and trying to protect our positions.”

The rest of the field isn’t conceding. Top local bet Mervin Corpuz of MPT Drive Hub sits third, 4:15 off the pace, while defending champion Joo Dae Yeong of Gapyeong is 16th, about six minutes back.

“They’re now at an advantage and it will be hard to grab the yellow jersey from them. But I would do my best to have a good finish in the race,” said Corpuz, nephew of former Tour champion Santi Barnachea. He’s looking to redeem himself after last year’s Baguio collapse cost him the overall title.

Joo, who wears the polka dot jersey as King of the Mountains, seems content chasing a different prize. “I was lucky to wear the yellow jersey last year. This year I didn’t aim for it and just focused on another jersey,” he said.

The team race is just as tight. Go for Gold leads with 77:13:38, with Standard Insurance 1:01 behind and 7-Eleven Roadbike Philippines trailing by 2:48.

But the hardest part is still ahead. The final seven stages cover more than 1,000 km, including four mountain passes. Two are the race’s toughest: the 30-km Bessang Pass in Ilocos Sur in Stage 10, and the 40-km ascent to Camp John Hay that ends Stage 14 from Lingayen to Baguio.