SAN JUAN, La Union — Under the scorching heat of the sun matched by the warm welcome of the fans Sunday, South Korean Joo Dae Yeong let everyone know why he’s the MPTC Tour of Luzon defending champ.
Clocking 3:19:16 in the 158.7-km distance race from Candon Arena in Ilocos Sur to San Juan Town Hall in La Union, the Gapyeong Cycling Team ace crossed the finish line by just about a foot, pulling to the side.
About a dozen of seconds away from his chasers, Joo alighted from his bike, and then took a bow, drawing cheers from the fans behind the side barricades.
Like a people’s champ, the 29-year-old got back on his bike and slowly pedaled as he exchanged high fives to the fans on the side.
The whole act was Joo’s overflowing joy after pulling away from the lead pack in the final 70 kilometers, building a gap that stretched to more than a minute, then doing just enough for a solo finish.
Officials deemed Joo’s act as ‘harmless but technically unsafe, "endangering himself and his competitors."
Joo was fined P1,950.00.
“Every time I finish a stage, I’m kind of sick and in a bad condition but I’m a little better today,” said Joo.
Joo’s closest pursuer was Saniy Syahmi Mohd Safiee of the National Team Malaysia who was 11 seconds behind (3:19:27).
Dominic Perez of the Pangasinan Cycling Team emerged as the lone local bet in the podium finishers, 12 seconds behind Joo (3:19.28).
Russian Nikita Sulchenko of the LCW UAE Cycle ended up 52nd after finishing second in Stage 10 the previous day, timing 3:30 behind the leader (3:22:46).
Still, Sulchenko retained the yellow jersey (overall lead) with 32:57:30.
Sulchenko’s Syrian teammate Yousef Ibrahiem Alrefai (33:01:11) also stayed second, while French Antoine Huby of 7Eleven Roadbike Philippines remained third, being 3:54 behind (33:01:24).
In the team general classification, 7Eleven leads the pack with an aggregate of 131:05:38 followed by Go for Gold Philippines with 131:07:58 (+2:20) and Standard Insurance Philippines with 131:18:50 (+13:12).
