TUGUEGARAO, CAGAYAN — It was a case of “deja vu” on the road this Sunday as Ivan Anisimov powered through a grueling finish to claim his second consecutive stage victory in the MPTC Tour of Luzon. The Russian sprinter’s late surge in Stage 5 ensured that the LCW UAE Cycle team remains the force to beat, while his teammates Nikita Shulchenko and Ibrahiem Alrefai successfully defended their 1-2 positions in the general classification.
In a high-octane 130.4-kilometer journey from Santiago, Isabela, to the sun-drenched streets of Tuguegarao, Anisimov proved his mettle in a crowded dash to the finish line. He clocked in at 2:47:26, narrowly edging out local favorite Ryan Tugawin in a heart-pounding final 200 meters.
“It’s amazing. I don’t know how we’re doing it,” a beaming Anisimov said following the win. “Ibrahim is strong, Nikita is very strong, and I’m a sprinter. For the team, it’s very good.”
Despite the celebratory mood, the LCW squad is well aware that the hardest days are still ahead. While Anisimov has been the king of the flats, he admitted that the upcoming mountain passes in the Ilocos region and the final climb to Baguio will be his ultimate test.
“The last stage is going to be too hard for me,” Anisimov conceded, noting his current 61st position in the overall individual field despite his stage successes.
For the local riders, the day was one of “what-ifs.” Ryan Tugawin came agonizingly close to securing a second stage win for the Philippines, following Dave Montemayor’s Stage 3 victory. “He was just too strong for me,” Tugawin remarked, acknowledging Anisimov’s superior closing speed in the 36-degree heat.
As the Tour prepares for Stage 6—a massive 228km trek to Pagudpud—Nikita Shulchenko continues to wear the leader’s jersey with a 49-second cushion over Alrefai. Meanwhile, Filipino hope Dave Montemayor remains in striking distance, trailing the lead by just over two minutes.
With the coastal winds of Ilocos Norte looming, the peloton braces for the longest stage of the race, where endurance will be just as vital as speed.