SORSOGON CITY—Team Army Bicycology Mark Julius Bordeos won a sprint finish against potential champions in the rain-drenched Stage 1 of the 10th Ronda Pilipinas on Sunday.
The 24-year-old Bordeos emerged from the back of a five-man breakaway to prevail in the 129.5-km race staged on an out-and-back course in three hours, six minutes and seven seconds.
George Oconer of Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance, Rustom Lim of 7-Eleven Cliqq by Roadbike Philippines and Jerry Aquino Jr. of Scratch It figured in the sprint finish for an identical time with Bordeos, while 2012 champion and Lim’s teammate Mark Galedo check in fifth three seconds behind the first group.
“I stuck with the group but I didn’t exactly expected to win against the sprinters,” said Bordeos, an Army private from Laoac, Pangasinan, who believes he is in his best shape after undergoung appendectomy in 2015.
Rain fell for most part of the race rendering the road slippery and posing danger to the riders. It was in the 40-km mark where Bordeos and company jumped from the peloton where most of the big guns—including former champions—were stuck.
The breakaway held until the finish with Galedo unleashing his veteran smarts to leave the group behind.
But in the final 500 meters, Bordeos slingshot himself to snatch opening day honors.
“I thought Kuya Mac [Galedo] was ready to sprint anytime. But I felt I had the momentum,” Bordeos said.
“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,” Army-Bicycology Shop Team Manager and former swimming champion Eric Buhain said.
“That it came right on the first day of the race means more and bigger challenges ahead, because everyone will now set their eyes on us. It is now up to us how to respond,” he added.
The Pangasinense will be a marked man with the leader’s red jersey in the 150.6-km Stage 2—markerd by some mild climbs—from Sorsogon City to Legazpi City.
“I won’t let them leave me in the climb” Bordeos said.
Two-time champion Jan Paul Morales of Philippine Navy finished in the thirtd group with Alvin Benosa (Celeste Cycling Team), and 7-Eleven riders Aidan James Mendoza, Marcelo Felipe and Mervin Corpuz. They crossed 12 seconds behind Bordeos.
Ronald Oranza, the 2018 champion of Philippine Navy, was 17th in 3:07:28, while 2014 king Reimon Lapaza of Celeste Cycles was 20th in 3:07:42. Inaugural titlist Santy Barnachea finished at 30th place in 3:07:53.
Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance took team classification honors with 12:24:55. 7-Eleven (12:27:26) and Celeste Cycling Team (12:27:35) were second and third place, respectively.