Staying afloat

TEAM Cebu Y101 FM finished third in the sixth stage of the 2013 LBC Ronda Pilipinas to strengthen its hold of the fifth spot in the overall standing after yesterday’s leg from Malolos to Tarlac City.

The team had a combined time of eight hours and 47:10 minutes in yesterday’s team classification.

Team Cebu Y101 FM has a total time of 64:18:11. The over-all team leader is PLDT/Spyder with 64:07:45. V-mobile/Smart is at second, while American Vinyl/LPGMA is at third with 64:10:52.

“I am happy with how the team performed today. At least we maintained our rank. We will do our best to improve our overall standing,” team manager Amis Urgel said.

The individual stage winner was Tomas Martinez of Team Tarlac City after finishing the 128.3 kms in 2:55:24. Marcelo Felipe of V-Mobile/Smart came in second, while Daniel Asto of the Philippine Navy/Standard Insurance finished third.

Cebuano rider Jaybop Pagnanawon was Team Cebu Y101 FM’s best finisher yesterday, finishing seventh in 2:55:38.

Meanwhile, Urgel added that he hopes Marvin Tapic, who is currently in the top 10 overall, will pull off an impressive finish in today’s stage, which will mostly be uphill—Tapic’s strength.

“Among protectahan si Marvin kay nakasulod na sa over-all classification,” Urgel said.

Twenty-one-year-old Tapic will be riding with the white jersey for being the second placer in the overall standing of the King of the Mountain (KOM) classification. The KOM was topped by Irish Valenzuela of American Vinyl/LPGMA-AVL, who is also the current leader in the overall individual standing.

Tapic also ranked third in the over-all classification for the best young rider award.
Stage Seven will be a 180.5-km. ride from Tarlac to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA)- Harbor Point Mall along Rizal Highway.

“We are already familiar with the route in Stage 7, especially our riders from Manila.

However, what my team is dealing with now is how to get out of the peloton to make a breakaway. Maayo unta if makakita sila og chance maka breakaway,” Urgel said.