Ronda Pilipinas: Ronald Oranza rules stage 6, wrests overall lead

Ronald Oranza of Navy Standard Insurance at the Stage Six finish line of Ronda Pilipinas 2022. RONDA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Ronald Oranza of Navy Standard Insurance thrived in the uphill climb to rule Stage Six and claim the overall individual lead in the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2022 on Tuesday.

Oranza conquered the dreaded Talisay-Tagaytay Road—a tough 11.7-kilometer stretch featuring 10 hairpins—to rule the 148.3-kilometer stage that started in Lucena and ended in front of the Praying Hands Monument in Tagaytay.

He clocked three hours, 40 minutes and 45 seconds to wrest the top spot from Jonel Carcueva of Go for Gold.

The 2018 Ronda Pilipinas king raised his arms in jubilation after checking in at the finish where he was welcomed by a huge, cheering crowd that chanted and shouted his name.

“I didn’t expect I would take the red jersey, but I’m glad I did,” said Oranza, who topped the race in 2018.

El Joshua Carino, Oranza’s teammate, came in second with a time of 3:42:39 while former red LBC jersey wearer Jan Paul Morales of Excellent Noodles followed at 3:42:41.

The result propeled Oranza to the top from No. 6 at 18:46:04 while Carcueva, who registered 3:46:09 in the stage, slid to third at 18:49:01.

Morales, who was No. 1 from Stage One to Four before Carcueva overtook him in Stage Five, kept his grip of No. 2 in 18:46:46.

The recent developments shook up the standings anew as Mervin Corpuz of Excellent Noodles skidded to No. 4 from No. 3 at 18:50:51, Jeremy Lizardo of Navy Standard Insurance leapfrogged to No. 5 from No. 13 at 18:52:36, and Mar Francis Sudario of Excellent Noodles jumping from No. 12 to No. 6 at 18:55:01.

Oranza and the Navy men’s also solidified their hold of the overall team lead with an aggregate time of 53:41:57 more than eight minutes ahead of Excellent Noodles (54:00:28) and more than 18 minutes ahead of Go for Gold (54:29:24).