KOREAN JOO RULES MPTC-TOUR OF LUZON

May 3, 2025 Headlines

Nueva Viscaya -Excellent Noodles’ Rider Joshua Pascual ‘Eagle of the Mountain’

BAGUIO CITY

Korea’s Jae Yeong Joo of Gapyeong Cycling Team (GCT)on Thursday (May 1) captured the MPTC Tour of Luzon Overall Individual
Classification title with an aggregate time of 22 hours 21 minutes .08 seconds beating Jan Paul Morales of Standard Insurance by just six seconds after eight days of nerve-rocking amid scorching heat of road racing spanning 1,074 kilometers. Joo, landed 22nd in the punishing and crucial 177.54 kms Final Stage 8 (4:21:31.039) ,finishing at Camp John Hay’s Scout Hill, pocketed the P1 illion cash prize.

Morales of Standard Insurance PH (SIP) finished second overall in individual general classification while Jonel Carcueva of MPT
Drivehub placed third overall, 52 seconds behind Joo. Joo ,the yellow jersey symbolic as the individual leader just stayed in the peloton through out the race from the coastal town of Lingayen, Pangasinan , with 4 mins 30 seconds ,chasing an 11- man breakaway group. Midway Joo suffered a flat tire , but quickly recovered to join with a big bunch of riders in the third group chasing the lead group, until he made a tactical move in the last 30 kilometers (Camp 4) Kennon Road.

But Joshua Pascual of Excellent Noodles, with jersey No. 14, got the biggest cheers, as the first rider to cross the finish line to become the ‘Eagle of the Mountain’ ,clocked four hours ,16 minutes and 14.973 seconds. Pascual, 23, member of the national team, son of mechanic/
driver (PUV) from Aritao, Nueva Viscaya became richer by P1 million for his sterling performance. ‘I’m dedicating this win to my family..supporters, and of course our sponsors ,who are always behind me throughout ’ Pascual said in Pilipino.

Pascual stunning display of stamina and road tactics also took the top individual Stage 8 podium honor. ‘Masayang masaya ako.. nasunod naman ang plano ng team namin-na stay lang sa grupo..at kung merpon pagkakataon..isa sa amin ay kumalas na,’ said Pascual, adding he is very thankful for his teammates support. Jan Paul Morales of Standard Insurance ,who was in side by-side by Pascual in the last few kilometers ,to the point the latter requested ‘magpalitan ng trangko, settled for second place stage 8 winner four hours ,18 minutes and 34
seconds while (Jonel) Carcueva of MPTD had four hours, 18 minutes 51.609 seconds.

Meanwhile, MPT DriveHub Cycling Team took the coveted Team Overall General Classification title with a total of 88 hours and 22
minutes .02 seconds (88:22:02) defeating Standard Insurance PH which landed second , 11 seconds behind while Go For Gold PH settled for third overall,three minutes .03 seconds behind in this epic road race presented by Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., DuckWorld PH and Cignal.

Primo Agatep with reports from Christopher Monzon/UB Intern