Pinoy Cyclist Joven on top of Ronda Pilipinas International after two stages

7-Eleven cyclist Chris Joven hold strong at the top spot after finishing first place in the second stage of the 2014 Ronda Pilipinas International.

Joven recorded the earliest time reaching the finish line with four hours, 58 minutes and 46 seconds, almost a half-minute ahead of the second placer Reimon Lapaza of the Cycleline, Butuan, Mindanao who ended the race with four hours, 59 minutes and 14 seconds.

Ronda PilipinasRonda Pilipinas Winners (Photo: Ronda Facebook)

After the two stages of Ronda 2014, which is in Cavite after the second lap, Joven topped the overall ranking with 6: 67, 37, but still a thin margin against Lapaza, who just needed four seconds or more to snatch the lead with recorded time 6: 67, 41.

“I’m thankful to have a chance of winning a lap again because last year my best finishes were one second place and two third place efforts,” said Joven, a native of Iriga City, Camarines Sur.

Third in  the race was Frenchman Peter Pouley, who recorded four hours, 59 minutes, and 48 seconds in the Muntinlupa to Cavite race.

Meanwhile, reigning Ronda Pilipinas champion Irish Valenzuela secured the 10th spot, making sure he is not so far behind the race leaders, finishing the second stage in five hours, 3 minutes and 56 seconds.

Among the top finishers were Matrix Powertag’s Daiki Yasuhara (5:02.40), PLDT-Maynilad’s Ronald Oranza (5:02.40), Cycleline-Butuan Mindanao’s Merculio Ramos (5:02.49), Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance’s Joel Calderon ((5:02.49), Cebu-Kalit Air Force’s Oscar Rindole (5:02.51) and Navy-Standard’s Santy Barnachea (5:02:54).

Stage 3 of the tournament has kicked off today (results are not yet available at the time this article was written) where all the riders will meet at San Pablo City, Laguna from the starting point in Amadeo, Cavite.

This Ronda edition was sponsored by the MVP Sports Foudation, NLEX, Maynilad, PLDT and Mitsubishi, Versa 2 Way Radio, and Standard Insurance.

Leave a Comment