Tour of Luzon: Nikita Shulchenko increases overall lead
Nikita Shulchenko during the individual time trial in Stage 7 of the MPTC Tour of Luzon in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.–CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
PAGUDPUD, Ilocos Norte—Nikita Shulchenko ruled the individual time trial in Stage 7 on Tuesday here while strengthening his hold on the overall lead halfway into the MPTC Tour of Luzon.
The Russian rider of Filipino-owned LCW UAE Cycle completed the 22.9-kilometer lap that is more of a race against the clock in 30 minutes and six seconds.
His teammate Ibrahiem Alrefai was second by 49 seconds, while Seoul Cycling Team’s Kyeong Ho Min, who won the long Stage 6 that ended in this town, placed third by 1:26. He was actually on the hot seat during a significant portion of the ITT until he was dislodged near the end when Shulchenko was the last rider released.
Overall leader Nikita Shulchenko after crossing the finish line in 30 minutes and six seconds to win the individual time trial in Stage 7 of the Tour of Luzon here in Pagudpud #TourOfLuzon2026 @inquirersports pic.twitter.com/hKA1gCbJCC
— Jonas Terrado (@jonasterradoINQ) May 5, 2026
It was the first stage victory for Shulchenko, who in Stage 1 allowed Alrefai to finish first after they formed a dual breakaway in the final few kilometers of the Calatagan-Tagaytay route.
But more importantly, Shulchenko was able keep the yellow jersey as he hiked his lead in the general classification entering the latter half of the derby on wheels.
Through seven laps, Shulchenko has a total time of 19:31:20, still ahead of Alrefai but now at 1:38, while also building a wide gap over local riders.
READ: Tour of Luzon: Ibraheim Alrefai, Shulchenko go 1-2 in opening
7-Eleven Roadbike Philippines’ Mervin Corpuz moved up to third in the standings, but by 4:15, teammate Ronnilan Quita is up to fourth 4:46 back while jumping to fifth is British cyclist Tyler Hannay of local team Excellent Noodles 4:49 adrift.
Another foreign riding for a Philippine side is Frenchman Antoine Huby of 7-Eleven, still sitting in sixth with a deficit of 4:50 while the rest of the top 10 is composed of MPT DriveHub’s Nash and Joshua Lim, who are 4:58 and 5:35 back of the leader, Seoul Cycling’s Jung Woo Ho is ninth by 5:36 while Malaysian national team’s Muhammad Raihan Maulidan trails by 5:43.
Go for Gold Philippines’ Dave Montemayor fell out of the top 10, falling from third to 11th overall by 6:00 while teammates Rench Michael Bondoc is 6:10 behind for 12th from nine and Jericho Lucero dropping from eighth to 17th, trailing by 7:04.
