Hualda tops Stage 11 of Ronda bikefest, PLDT-Spyder retains overall team lead

RONNEL Hualda of Road Bike Philippines captured the top spot in yesterday’s Stage 11 of the ongoing Ronda Pilipinas 2013 from Pagudpud town Ilocos Norte to Aparri, Cagayan.

Hualda ruled the tough 171.4-kilometer stage in 4:07.12 narrowly beating Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance’s Jan Paul Morales, American Vinyl-LPGMA’s Cris Joven and Joseph Millanes of Team Tarlac through a photo finish.

Morales, Joven and Millanes placed second to fourth, respectively.

Hualda now dons the red jersey for topping the stage while Ronald Oranza of PLDT-Spyder retained his overall individual lead for two consecutive stages with just five legs left in the 16-stage cycling spectacle.

Oranza however, had a sloppy race yesterday after coming in in 16th place while former Ronda Pilipinas champion Santy Barnachea climbed from third to second after yesterday’s grueling stage.

Former overall leader Irish Valenzuela dropped to third place after Barnachea’s impressive performance wherein he finished in fifth place in 4:07.16 followed by Ryan Tugawin of Team Enrile (4:08.02) who had a photo finish win over Reinhard Gorantes of the Navy, Ferdinand Pablo of Hundred Islands, George Oconer of the Navy, Kenneth Solis of Hundred Islands for the seventh to 10th spots, respectively.

Valenzuela also dropped in the standings yesterday after placing 24th. Cebu’s very own Marvin Tapic who is a high altitude race expert competing for Y101 FM Cebu was not able to finish the race.

Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance topped the team winners yesterday while Road Bike Philippines improved from third to second with American Vinyl-LPGMA at third.

In the overall team standings, PLDT-Spyder is still at the top followed by Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance and Road Bike Philippines.

Stage 12 will traverse from Aparri to Tuguegarao covering 102 kilometers. /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL