Morales makes Ronda charge

SUBIC—For three months, Jan Paul Morales tortured himself on the same rugged terrain almost every single day.

A high-velocity specialist from Navy-Standard Insurance, Morales’ hard work paid off as he swung back in contention for the overall lead with a daring solo breakaway finish Wednesday in Stage 3 of the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2017.

“I’ve trained hard to improve my climbing skills on the same route,” said Morales after reaching this former US naval base in three hours, 25 minutes and 46 seconds.

The veteran national team track racer duplicated his Stage 2 victory in Vigan after he sprinted out of the lead group on the first climb of the day at the Bataan National Park in Morong and was never threatened approaching the final 20 kilometers.

Though Navy teammate Rudy Roque still wears the red jersey of leadership, Morales, last year’s top Ronda performer, has pulled within 1:34 and jumped from 16th to third overall in the individual general classification.

“When I saw the chance, I didn’t think twice and immediately broke away from the pack,” said Morales after the hilly 137-km ride from Angeles City.

Overall, Roque, who had trained with Morales and their Standard Insurance teammates on the exact course starting last November, holds a 20-second gap over fellow Navyman Ronald Lomotos. Ismael Grospe Jr. of Go For Gold remained at fourth, 2:28 back.

“I tried to attack but I never had the chance. The other riders in the GC were watching me,” said Roque.

Jemico Brioso of Team Ilocos Sur placed second in the lap, followed by Leonel Dimaano of RC Cola/NCR at third and Cris Joven of Kinetix-Lab Philippine Army at fourth, each of them 2:46 behind Morales.

Today’s Subic to Subic fourth stage (111 km) presents the same demanding climbing challenge and windy downhill rides as Stage 3.

“I have to be in top shape tomorrow. That will be more difficult than today’s race,” said Morales.

Jonel Carcueva of Go For Gold finished fifth in the stage to stay at fifth overall, 3:51 back, Navy’s Jay Lampawog lay sixth (3:53), Ryan Serapio of Team Ilocos Sur seventh (3:54), Roel Quitoy of Mindanao eighth (3:58), Army’s Alvin Benosa ninth (3:59) and his Reynaldo Navarro 10th (4:05).

“I have to protect the red jersey. It’s going to be another rough day,” said Roque, who hails from Hermosa, Bataan.