Roque breaks away for Ronda stage 11 win

ANTIPOLO — Rudy Roque, the former red jersey wearer, took the spotlight Tuesday after he dominated stage 11 of LBC Ronda Pilipinas from Calamba to here via hilly Rizal towns.

The 25-year-old Roque, who hails from Tibo, Bataan, rolled to the finish line in front of Hinulugang Taktak all alone with hands off the handle bars.

“I felt very good and in top condition today,” said Roque who held the overall leadership in the first seven stages of the race.

Overall leader Jan Paul Morales checked in next towing several others but kept the yellow jersey safely with him with Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance teammate Roque close behind in overall standings.

Roque covered 140 kilometers that passed through “the back door” of Metro Manila clocking three hours, 57 minutes and 39 seconds.

Morales was second in the stage with a time of 3:59:43, the same with third placer Ronnel Hualda of Go For Gold.

Morales will then take with him the yellow jersey — and a 2:15 lead over Roque — when Ronda swings to Iloilo for the last three stages starting March 2.