Corpuz new threat to Sokor ace
LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Joo Dae-yeong fended off multiple threats to narrowly cling onto the overall lead after a frenetic Stage 6 of the MPTC Tour of Luzon won by blue-chip Malaysian sprinter Muhammad Zahin Wahhi on Tuesday.
With just two laps before the race concludes in Baguio City, Joo safely crossed the line with a large group of riders in this cycling mecca after the sweltering journey covering 174.5 kilometers, but still saw his overnight lead dwindle significantly.
“It was difficult, but we were able to keep the yellow jersey [of leadership],” said Joo, who has been in control of the individual race since winning the opening stage last week in Paoay. “We have to protect it in the final stage.’’
Joo has now logged a total of 17 hours, 41 minutes and 34 seconds after six back-breaking stages, with Corpuz trailing by just a minute and 56 seconds heading into Wednesday’s 15-km individual time trial Stage 7 from this seaside town to Labrador, Pangasinan.
Lizardo jumped from ninth to third, just 2:22 behind, and Carcueva climbed from eighth to fourth overall, 2:27 back.
Wahhi outsprinted everybody in the final 200 meters to capture the stage in three hours, 31 minutes and 12 seconds, with Mervin Corpuz of MPT Drivehub checking in second and Rench Michael Bondoc of 7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines placing third with identical times.
“The weather is very hot, the race very tough, so I just tried to suffice,’’ said Wahhi, who recovered from a minor crash in Stage 3 to secure his 10th lap victory in an international race.
Running fifth before the day began, Corpuz rose to second overall, his daring breakaway with teammate Jonel Carcueva and the Standard Insurance tandem of Jeremy Lizardo and Jan Paul Morales creating a shakeup in the standings.
“My target is to win the difficult stages,” Corpuz, whose gifted talents in the climb and sprints are being nurtured by three-time Tour champion Santy Barnachea, said in Filipino. “Up there in Baguio, only the toughest will survive.
“He’s (Barnachea) my idol and I want to be like him,’’ added Corpuz after his second lap win in the eight-stage cycling marathon presented by Duckworld PH and Cignal.
