VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur — Ronald Oranza anticipated a clear victory for Standard Insurance Philippines in the team time trial of the MPTC Tour of Luzon.
Oranza’s veteran teammates didn’t disappoint him.
They ruled Stage 2 of the eight-stage Tour on Friday. And although it had no bearing on the team general classification race, Standard Insurance made a statement.
Go for Gold runner-up
``Ine-expect namin na maipanalo ito, masaya lahat at nakuha namin,’’ said Oranza after they clocked one hour, 22 minutes and 31 second in completing the 68.5-kilometer ride from Paoay to this city.
Go For Gold Philippines placed second, 2:08 slower than the stage winner, in the only lap that showcased each of the 16 squads in a race against the clock.
7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines reached the podium with the same time as Go For Gold with MPT Drivehub Cycling Team dropping to fourth despite finishing 1:47 behind Standard Insurance due to an infraction.
Rounding out the top 10 were Excellent Noodles Cycling Team (2:25 behind), Exodus Army Cycling Team (2:36), Malaysia Pro Cycling (2:48), D’ Reyna Orion Cement (3:21), Victoria Sports Cycling Team (3:23) and Bryton Racing Team (4:42).
The clocking of each of the 16 teams in the TTT was determined by the fourth rider of the squad who crossed the line in front of the Ilocos Sur provincial capitol.
Hong Kong’s CCN Team dropped out of the team race after its cyclists were reduced to just three during the opening stage Thursday won by Joo Dae Yeong of South Korea’s Gapyeong Cycling Team.
``Nasira kadena ng isa sa mga kasama namin si Dave Cayangao sa unang tatlong kilometro kaya nagtulungan na lang kami,’’ said Oranza, who placed second overall during Stage 1 in Paoay on Thursday.
The individual general classification champion will earn P500,000 while the team champion brings home P1 million at the end of the multi-stahe race in Baguio City on May 1.
Stage 3 is a largely flat 133.30-kilometer ride going to San Juan, La Union.
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