Calderon tops Ronda stage two

JOEL CALDERON of the V-Mobile Smart team won stage two of the Ronda Pilipinas 2013 yesterday in Pagadian City.

Calderon finished the 141-kilometer race from Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay to Pagadian City in three hours, 27 minutes and 53 seconds to emerge on top.

Coming in at second was Ronald Gorantes of the famed Road Bike Philippines (3:27.57) while Irish Valenzuela of American Vinyl and Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance’s George Oconer placed third and fourth, respectively.

Valenzuela was awarded the “King of the Mountain” while the “Total Sprint King” award went to American Vinyl’s Cris Joven. The “Best Young Rider” plum was given to Oconer.

Taking the LBC leader’s red jersey going into the third stage was Santy Barnachea of the Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance.

Barnachea placed sixth yesterday but has an official time in the overall individual classification of 6:35.18.

The third stage will take the cyclists from Pagadian to Iligan City today for a total distance of 136 kilometers.

The fourth and fifth stage will be then held here in Cebu this Thursday and Friday.

Barnachea is trailed overall by Tomas Martinez of Team One Tarlac with a total time of 6:37.19 and Gorantes (6:38.18).

The Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance currently leads the overall team classification race as its cyclists garnered a total time of 19:50.47.

V Mobile Smart is currently at second with a time of 19:53.08 while Road Bike Philippines is at third with a total time of 19:55.25./CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL