Sorsogon City—Light rains lasting less than 20 minutes greeted an 11-man pack, led by Mark Julius Bordeos, that reached the finish in three hours, six minutes and seven seconds.
The 24-year-old Philippine Army-Bicycology rider Bordeos said he did not need to cool down while being hosed by a standby firetruck crew after he took the Stage 1 honors at the start of the 10th LBC Ronda Pilipinas here.
And his conquest of the 129.5 km route around the province of Sorsogon will be his best finish in this bikefest, after last seeing action in 2017.
“Hindi inaasahan na mananalo kasi maraming sprinter. Tignan ko kung kaya ko po hanggang 10th stage. Hindi po ako kalakasan sa ahon,” said the private first class from Loac, Pangasinan.
Surgery on his appendix forced Bordos out of action back in 2016, and he had been joining numerous races afterwards.
Bordeos was with a big group of riders that chased down veteran 7Eleven/Cliqq/Air21 rider Mark Galedo.
The 24-year-old Galedo took the lead when they left the Sorsogon Baywalk starting line. He held the lead for the first 84.5 kilometers of the race
When Galedo went up the steep roads of Bulusan Volcano Natural Park, he sensed a crosswind coming in his favor.
And Galedo used the strong windy conditions to his advantage, as he went downhill after ruling the King of the Mountain portion.
From there, Galedo led a smaller 24-man breakaway pack as it turned and headed north for 48 kilometers, and headed for Prieto Diaz.
Galedo was still around when this group splintered into an 11-man pack, in the last 500-meters when Bordeos finally took over.
As the rains kept the riders wet and cool, Scratch It rider Jerry Aquino accompanied Bordeos in crossing the finish line with 7Eleven’s Rustom Lim and and Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance.
Also included in the 11-man group, and 12 seconds behind at the finish, are 7Eleven’s Aidan Mendoza, Marcelo Felipa and Mervin Corpuz, Navyman Jan Paul Morales, and Celeste Cycle’s Alvin Benosa.
On the other hand, a laidback Galedo stayed back for fifth place, and was three seconds behind.
Taking the KOM honors was Galedo’s satisfaction, for now.
“Nagkaroon ng crosswind. Ginamit namin na pagkakataon iyun para magkaroon ng panibagong break,” said Galedo, who last won the overall crown back in 2012.
Galedo believes that there will many stages for riders to have chance to come up on top.
And this is one reason why many seasoned champions did not make their presence felt.
“Ang alam ko bubwelo yan si Kuya Mac, kaya ang ginawa ko nasa likod lang ako. Sabi ko, kaya to kasi kondisyon lang ako,” added Bordeos.
Army-Bicycology team owner Eric Buhain praised Bordeos’ hard work.
“Mark’s victory is the product of the entire team’s hard work and perseverance. We knew this win was bound to happen, sooner or later. That it came right on the first day of the Ronda Pilipinas means more and bigger challenges ahead, because everyone will now set their eyes on us. It is now up to us how to respond,” said Buhain.
