MPTC TOUR OF LUZON: KOREA’S RIDER JOO WINS 1ST STAGE

April 26, 2025 Community Billboard

BAGUIO CITY

South Korean ace rider , Dae Young Joo on Thursday (April 24) ruled the 1st stage of the MPTC Tour of Luzon in Paoay. Joo made a tenacious attack in the last 30kms to deny the bids of Standard Insurance veteran Jan Paul Morales and the rest of the field . The 28-year old Dae Young Joo of Gapyeong covered the 195.2km Paoay-Paoay , clocked 4:12.45 amid under a 40-degree heat. He topped the GC
Individual and Sprint leadership and Most Combative awards, respectively. Joo, a Top 6 finisher in the 2019 Ronda Pilipinas, came up with a stunning break away from the peloton in the 41km mark together with Standard Insurance’s Jan Paul Morales.

Ronald Oranza held his ground to make up for Morales’ failed attempt as he placed 2nd followed by Aidan James Mendoza of Go for Gold. Morales, who was caught by the 30-man chase group which figured to complete the podium, figured in a crash in the last 55 meters. With George Oconer in 5th and Junrey Navarra in 14th, Standard Insurance grabbed the Team Classification lead, 18 secs ahead of MPT Drivehub, 1:03 faster than third running Go for Gold. The race on Friday with the Team Time Trial, a 68km travel from Paoay to Vigan.

Primo Agatep/ABN