Navy Standard Insurance riders make move

DAET, Camarines Norte, Philippines — Outshone and outfoxed in the early stages by Excellent Noodles, Navy Standard Insurance made it sure not to cower from a heated showdown on this one.

George Oconer and Ronald Oranza came through with worthy performances on a rainy, slippery 179.8-kilometer Stage Four of the 11th LBC Ronda Pilipinas that started in Legazpi and ended in front of the Provincial Capitol here yesterday.

The 30-year-old Oconer, the last Ronda winner two years ago, edged Mervin Corpuz of Excellent Noodles and Arjay Peralta of Drey in a wet and wild ending to rule the stage in four hours, 10 minutes and 12 seconds.

Corpuz had the same clocking at second while Peralta took third spot in 4:10:14.

Oconer was ecstatic, raising his right hand at the finish.

He later said he has more to offer.

“I’m just starting to heat up,” said Oconer.

The effort sent Oconer to No. 9 in the overall individual general classification race from No. 13, joining Oranza, the 2018 titlist who leapt from No. 7 to No. 4 after the latter towed a nine-man pack that checked in at fifth in 4:10:38.

Jan Paul Morales of Excellent Noodles was with Oranza’s group to cling to the overall lead and the red LBC jersey with an aggregate clocking of 9:42:37.

He is being chased by teammates Corpuz, who posted a second straight runner-up stage finish to ascend from No. 4 to No. 2 with 9:42:57, and Ryan Tugawin, who fell to No. 4 from No. 2 with 9:43:15.

And then there’s Oranza with 9:44:42. He remains optimistic he can catch up though over two minutes behind.

“We still have six stages to go and I’m familiar with who I’m racing against. I’m confident of my conditioning,” said Oranza.

Their efforts eased the pain of losing the team’s best climber, Junrey Navarra, who will no longer return to the race after bowing out of Stage Three due to breathing issue.

Two-time Ronda champion Santy Barnachea skidded to No. 5 from No. 3 in 9:44:52 and remained ahead of three Go for Gold riders in Jonel Carcueva (9:45:03), Jericho Jay Lucero (9:45:10) and Aidan Mendoza (9:45:15).

Oconer was at No. 9 with 9:45:18 while Excellent Noodles’ Mar Francis Sudario rounded out the top 10 with 9:45:39.

Excellent Noodles kept its iron grip of the overall team lead with a 26:37:41, followed by Go for Gold’s 26:40:03 and Navy Standard Insurance’s 26:40:47.