MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon—Jan Paul Morales of Navy-Standard Insurance ruled the 21.7-kilometer Individual Time Trial Stage Four Thursday to virtually top the Mindanao Leg of the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2016 with still a stage to go at the scenic Dahilayan Forest Park here.
The 30-year-old Morales overtook eight riders, including teammates and closest pursuers Lloyd Lucien Reynante and Ronald Oranza in capturing the stage with a clocking of 48 minutes and 26.69 seconds.
He also claimed his second straight stage triumph since he took the Stage 3 criterium in Cagayan de Oro last Tuesday.
Morales also secured his sixth lap win in six Ronda editions and second ITT victory after he ruled the penultimate stage in Baguio City last year.
After four stages, Morales has pulled away for good and amassed 49 points, 14 ahead of Oranza with 35.
Morales will need only to finish in the fifth and final stage, a criterium, on Saturday in Malaybalay, Bukidnon to officially crown himself champion.
“It just need to play it safe,” said Morales, a native of Calumpang, Marikina.
It was also a stage built for Morales, a time trial specialist, who is a long-time member of the national team. “It’s my specialty.”
Joel Calderon, another Navy rider, ended up second in 48:33.63, while Oranza third in 49:33.13.
Navy’s El Joshua Carino, Team LBC-MVPSF’s Ronnilon Quita, and Navy’s Deniel Ven Carino ended up at fourth to sixth places with clockings of 50:17.03, 50:17.77 and 50:43.51, respectively.
Reynante, Navy’s team skipper who was flagged off second to last ahead of Morales, had a bad day and wound up seventh in the stage in 50:45.63, sending him skidding from second to third overall with 33 points.