Lapaza completes come-from-behind triumph in Ronda

MANILA, Philippines -- In 2011, Reimon Lapaza of Cycleline-Butuan Mindanao is a former mechanic who took up the sport idolizing cycling powerhouse Mark Galedo of 7-Eleven.

Three years later, he can now be mentioned with his idol in the same breathe.

Using Sunday's 14th and final Marikina criterium stage as his victory lap, Lapaza crowned himself Ronda Pilipinas International 2014 champion after pulling off the biggest comeback in the race's four-year history.

Pitted against the super tough foreign competition and the best and brightest local stars, the 28-year-old Lapaza persevered as he hovered near the big guns for most of the race before hatching a big suprise in the penultimate Clark-Subic Stage 13 to snatch the lead and eventually the title from Galedo's grasp.

At the end of this 14-stage, 16-day race that covered about 2,000 kilometers of roads in both the flatlands and in the mountains, Lapaza emerged with the best effort, clocking a total of 45 hours, 41 minutes and 33 seconds to join the elite group of former Ronda winners consisting of inauguaral titlist Santy Barnachea of Navy-Standard Insurance, last year's victor Irish Valenzuela of Army and the once he admired most, Galedo.

Lapaza also wrote history by becoming the first champion from Mindanao.

For his feat, he was awarded a nice trophy and a cool P1 Million check.

"He's really someone I looked up to when I started joining Ronda three years back. I'm proud to say that I learned from him and he gave me inspiration," said Lapaza of Galedo, who is as old as the former but is already a decorated champion, in Filipino.

Frenchman Peter Pouly of Infinite-Singha finished second in 45:42:40 and was named the King of the Mountain while Galedo ended up third in 45:43:08.

Galedo appeared to have the title wrapped up going into the final two stages after fending off every challenge thrown at him.

Until Lapaza came out of nowhere with a memorable performance in the Clark-Subic Stage 13 on what turned out a Black Saturday for Galedo as the former stripped the red jersey out of the latter.

Galedo, a gentleman, was quick to accept his fate, hugged and congratulated Lapaza.

"God blessed me with so many things, it's his (Lapaza) time this year and I told him he deserves it," said Galedo, who admitted he cried after his Stage 13 debacle.

Taiwanese Feng Chun Kai of Team Gusto won the last stage after beating PLDT-Maynilad's Ronald Oranza in a photo finish as the two checked in at 1:42:21 in the 89-km Stage 14.

It was Feng's third stage triumph after winning the Tagaytay-San Pablo Stage Three and the Lucena-Lucena Stage Five.

Navy-Standard's Barnachea, George Oconer, Lloyd Lucien Reynante, Joel Calderon, Jan Paul Morales and Rudy Roque went home as winners after bringing home the team crown.

"It's a team effort, everyone contributed to this success," said the 36-year-old Barnachea, who has hinted to return next year for another attempt at a second Ronda crown.

Navy-Standard had an aggregate time of 137:18:56, finishing ahead of a Chris Allison-mentored PLDT-Maynilad squad of Oranza, Mark Julius Bonzo, Joshua Carino, Rustom Lim, Junrey Navarra and Ronald Lomotos with 137:21:48 and 7-Eleven's Galedo, Baler Ravina, Cris Joven, Edmundo Nicolas, Jr., Boots Ryan Cayubit and Mark Julius Bordeos with 137:31:14.

Rounding up the individual top 10 were Oconer (45:45:58), Roadbike's Marcelo (45:48:06), Lim (45:50:19), Barnachea (45:52:32), Valenzuela (45:53:08), Reynante (45:57:32) and Oranza (45:57:54).

Oconer, son of former Olympian Norberto, was named the Best Young Rider while Lim the Sprint King.

Ronda was presented by LBC, the country's biggest cargo and courier company, sponsored by MVP Sports Foundation, Petron, NLEX, Maynilad, PLDT and Mitsubishi, Versa 2 Way Radio and Standard Insurance and minor sponsor Air Asia Zest and C! Magazine, sanctioned by PhilCycling and backed by Shimano Cannondale bikes, the Department of Tourism and Phl National Police chief Allan Purisima.