Morales gains early lead in Ronda

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Jan Paul Morales of Navy-Standard zoomed toward the overall lead at the start of the Ronda Pilipinas 2018 in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

Morales, who is eyeing a record third Ronda crown, clocked the same time as three other riders including Stage 1 winner and teammate Ronald Oranza with one hour, 11 minutes and 22 seconds.

The 32-year-old Moraes emerged as the early leader after gaining a 15-second bonus for topping the pair of intermediate sprints and finishing second in the stage.

“It’s always nice to start the race on top,” said Morales in Filipino.

He also ruled the same stage when he won his second crown last year. 

Alvin Benosa of Army-Bicycology, George Oconer of Go for Gold also had similar time in the 40-kilometer route highlighted by the cobblestone street of Calle Crisologo.

Oranza came in second with 1:11:09, three seconds behind Moraes’ time heading into Sunday’s 155.4 km Vigan-Pagudpud Stage 2.

Oconer, Benosa and Carcueva took up the third to fifth spots with times of 1:11:17, 1:11:18 and 1:11:22, respectively.

Rounding out the top 10 were Team Franzia’s Leonel Dimaano (1:12:45), Navy-Standard’s Junrey Navarra (1:12:45), Go for Gold Developmental team’s Ismael Grospe, Jr. (1:12:45), Navy’s Rudy Roque (1:12:52) and Bike Xtreme’s James Ferfas (1:12:52).