DAGUPAN—Climbing steep mountains for long stretches is a skill Jan Paul Morales admittedly lacks in his arsenal.
The leader’s red-jersey holder from Navy-Standard Insurance should optimize the power in his legs to overcome this weakness when the 2016 Ronda Pilipinas Luzon hits the Cordilleras in today’s penultimate Stage 4.
Morales, already the winner of the first three stages, aims to protect the general classification lead with 45 points with his toughest rivals expected to attack in the 94.41-kilometer trek from here to Baguio via Kennon Road.
“I’ll just stick with them and ride safe,” said the 30-year-old sprint and time-trial expert from Calumpang, Marikina.
Lurking behind him are George Oconer (31 points) and Rustom Lim (29) of LBC-MVPSF, Navy’s John Mark Camingao (25), Ronald Lomotos of LBC-MVPSF (16) and Navymen Joel Calderon (15) and Rudy Roque (13).