LUCENA CITY—Cebuano rider Jaybop Pagnanawon was among four local riders who had high hopes in coming up with a podium finish in the chaotic opening stage of the 2016 Le Tour de Filipinas.
But road repairs, which caused a big traffic jam in the last 32 kilometers going to the finish line at the old Lucena City hall ended everyone’s quest to claim Stage 1’s yellow jersey honors after organizers were forced to stop the race.
Pagnanawon, racing under the Team Kopiko-Cebu banner, was among 10 riders who formed a breakaway group, which sped down a downhill stretch at the 84-kilometer mark in Mabitac, Laguna.
Pagnanawon’s group became a 31-man pack the moment traffic slowed them down along the busy Pan-Philippine highway going outside of San Pablo City which allowed others to catch up.
More riders began catching up to the lead pack when they reached Lalig bridge in Tiaong, Quezon. Road repairs along a 400 meter stretch of the Pan Philippine highway allowed the riders to catch up.
The repairs, which were not coordinated by local officials with the tour organizers, left International Commissaire Peter Tomlinson no recourse but to stop the opening stage before noon.
Chaos ensued as race marshals were unable to take note of the riders who were converging and slowing down along Lalig bridge.
The race started smoothly when 74 riders left the Antipolo City Hall Plaza and traversed several towns in Laguna before they slowed down at Lalig bridge.
Team manager Ednalyn Hualda expressed her disappointment at the outcome of the opening day.
“Nanghihinayang kami dahil nandu’n na sila,” said Hualda, who added that they may pull off a surprise in Day 2, which is a 204.82 km ride from Lucena City to Daet, Camarines Norte.
Pagnanawon was able to join an early group composed of Japanese rider Ryu Suzuki, Korean Jang Sun Jae, Taiwanese Lu Shao Hsuan, Australian Jai Crawford, Mongolian Mars-erdene Batmunkh, Nor Umardi Rosdi, Kota Sumiyoshi and Bizhigitov of Kazakhstan.
Bizhgitov, who overcame a bum stomach he suffered with another teammate and the team mechanic caused by unfamiliarity with local dishes, took the top honors in the first sprint stage.
This was after he went aggressive at the 41.43 km mark between Pangil and Siniloan and the King of Mountain section at the 26.52 km mark in Pililla, Rizal.