Whitehouse rules Le Tour’s rainy opening stage

Stage 1 winner Daniel Whitehouse
Photo by: Tristan Tamayo/Inquirer.net

SORSOGON CITY–Daniel Whitehouse overcame the highest climb of the day for a solo breakaway finish in the opening stage of the 8th Le Tour de Filipinas on Saturday.

The 22-year-old climber from Terrenganu Cycling Team sped away from the field in the only king of the mountain challenge at the Bulusan Volacano National Park to rule the 164.50-kilometer ride from Legaspi City.

Racing under a heavy downpour in Casiguran town near the finish, Whitehouse crossed the line in three hours, 56 minutes and 16 seconds followed by second-placer Benjamin Hill of Attaque Gusto, 1:51 behind.

Ryu Suzuki of Bridgestone Anchor Cycling team placed third with the same time as Hill along with Salvador Guardiola of Team Ukyo, Kinan Cycling teammates Jai Crawford and 2015 champion Thomas Lebas.

”I’m not good at sprints, so I waited for the climb and made my move,” said Whitehouse from Great Britain who will wear the overall leader’s yellow jersey in Stage 2.

Mark Galedo of 7Eleven Sava-Road Bike Philippines checked in 13th, 9:25 behind the lap winner.

”That was just a warmup. There are three more races to go,” said the 2014 champion.

Today’s second stage is a 177.35km ride to Naga City with a punishing climb in Tiwi town halfway through the route.