LUCENA CITY. – Jonel Carcueva of Go for Gold came through with what could be the ride of his life as he finished seventh in Stage Five to take the overall lead from Jan Paul Morales of Excellent Noodles in the 11th LBC Ronda Pilipinas Monday.
Carcueva, 26, clocked five hours, 17 minutes and 49 seconds in the 212.5-kilometer stage, the longest in the 10-stage race, that was topped by 23-year-old Joshua Mari Bonifacio of Excellent Noodles in 5:15:59.
The effort by the Mendenilla, Cebu native shook up the overall individual general classification and saw him leapfrogging to the top with a total time of 15:02:52 while relegating Morales down to second (15:04:09) after wearing the red LBC jersey in the first four stages.
“Being a mountain biker taught me tricks in riding downhill and this experience helped me today,” said Carcueva, whose best finish was sixth overall four years ago.
Bonifacio, formerly of Go for Gold, stole some of the thunder as came through with the first stage victory of his young and promising career.
The proud son of Zambales edged Navy Standard Insurance’s El Joshua Carino, who clocked 5:16:07.
Another Go for Gold bet, Ronnilan Quita was third in 5:17:44 for his second podium finish after also winding up third in the Stage One Individual Time Trial in Sorsogon City last Friday.
“I preserved my energy for that climb in the mountain,” said Bonifacio, referring to the Atimonan Zigzag Park, or “Tatlong Eme.”
Morales said he was okay but just couldn’t get away from his rivals who made sure he was contained.
“I’m okay, there were just so many of them guarding me,” said the 36-year-old 2016 and 2017 Ronda king.
The overhaul in the top 10 saw Mervin Corpuz of Excellent Noodles skidding to No. 3 from No. 2 in 15:04:29; Daniel Ven Carino zooming No. 4 from No. 13 (15:04:44); and John Mark Camingao of Navy Standard Insurance climbing to No. 5 from No. 14 (15:05:12).
Ronald Oranza of Navy Standard Insurance, the 2018 titlist, sputtered to No. 6 from No. 4 in 15:05:29; 2011 and 2015 Ronda winner Santy Barnachea fell to No. 7 from No.5 in 15:05:38; Ronald Lomotos of Navy Standard Insurance barging into No. 8 from No. 15; and Jericho Jay Lucero and Aidan Mendoza of Go for Gold slipping to Nos. 9 and 10 from Nos. 7 and 8 in 15:05:57 and 15:06:02, respectively.
There was also a major shakeup in the overall team race as seven-time winner Navy Standard Insurance snatched the lead from Excellent Noodles with a total time of 42:32:26.
Excellent Noodles slipped to third in 42:35:14 as Go for Gold moved up to second in 42:33:25.
The race resumes Tuesday with the 157.4km Lucena-Tagaytay Stage Six.
The annual event stakes a P3.5 million cash pot including P1 million to the champion courtesy of LBC Express, Inc., MVP Sports Foundation, Quad X, Smart, Twin Cycle Gear, Standard Insurance, Print2Go, Elves Bicycles, Elitewheels, Orome, Maynilad, PhilHydro, Garmin, Petron, Boy Kanin, Green Planet Bikeshop, Prolite, Fujiwara, Black Mamba Energy Drink, Lightwater, LBC Foundation, PhilCycling and the Games and Amusements Board.
