Oranza tries to cling to lead as Ronda enters homestretch

Ronald Oranza takes his bike out of his hotel room for a light workout. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

TARLAC—After getting a full day to recharge and map out a plan for the homestretch of the 11th LBC Ronda Pilipinas, Ronald Oranza of Navy Standard Insurance rides out holding the overall lead, hoping to cling to it in the final four days starting with Stage Six from here to Baler in Aurora province.

The 30-year-old Oranza battled cramps and a busted tire in the punishing fifth lap on Tuesday as he dislodged Jonel Carcueva for the red jersey of leadership, coming into the 180.4-kilometer journey on Thursday starting at 9 a.m. with all sorts of momentum.

The 2018 Ronda king has an aggregate time of 18 hours, 46 minutes and four seconds, ahead of Excellent Noodles’ Jan Paul Morales (18:46:46) and Carcueva (18:49:01).

Chasing the top three are Mervin Corpuz of Excellent Noodles (18:50:51), Jeremy Lizardo of Navy Standard Insurance (18:52:36), Mar Francis Sudario of Excellent Noodles (18:55:01), Ronald Lomotos of Navy Standard Insurance (18:55:04), Jericho Jay Lucero of Go for Gold (18:55:10), Daniel Ven Carino (18:56:21) and John Mark Camingao of Navy Standard Insurance (18:56:45).

“I will do my best to protect the lead,” said Oranza, who did a light workout and spin training during the only rest day.

“It was very light because we wanted to rest our riders,” said Navy Standard Insurance coach Reinhard Gorrantes.

Oranza will also try to protect his lead in the King of the Mountain race as well as Navy’s lead in the team event where they have a total clocking of 53:41:57 ahead of Go for Gold (54:00:28) and Excellent Noodles (54:29:24).