Ronald Oranza holds off rival, nears crown
Oranza, 32, thus kept his huge 6.52-minute lead intact with an aggregate time of 26:49:04 heading to the last three laps, including the final day criterium, in the 12-stage bikathon presented by LBC. Ernie Peñaredondo
TAGAYTAY, Philippines — Ronald Oranza foiled Jan Paul Morales’ make-or-break bid with a gutsy performance, finishing second to the reigning back-to-back champion in the crucial Stage Nine to virtually secure his first Ronda Pilipinas crown yesterday.
Morales outsprinted Navy-Standard Insurance teammate Oranza in a dash to the finish but both ended up with identical clockings of five hours, 47 minutes, 13 seconds in the 207.2-km stage that started at the Silang Municipal Hall, circled around Kaybiang Tunnel connecting Ternate, Cavite and Nasugbu, Batangas, Laurel and Talisay, Batangas before winding up at the Tagaytay Convention Center here.
Oranza, 32, thus kept his huge 6.52-minute lead intact with an aggregate time of 26:49:04 heading to the last three laps, including the final day criterium, in the 12-stage bikathon presented by LBC.
Morales later conceded the crown to his talented teammate.
“I give up. I’m happy for him because he’s my teammate. It’s his time,” said Morales, who has a 26:55:56 clocking.
- Latest
- Trending
