1,816 kms to glory: Joo leads charge

CALATAGAN, BATANGAS, Philippines — South Korean Joo Dae Yeong wasn’t really sure if he’s returning to defend his title after ruling the MPTC Tour of Luzon Revival last year in Baguio City.

But the lure of chasing glory was just too irresistible for Joo.

Representing Gapyeong Cycling Team, Joo shoots for the stars anew against a stronger, deeper field of 89 riders from seven local teams and six foreign squads out to unseat him in the MPTC Tour of Luzon 2026 unfurling today at the CaSoBe here.

The Tour’s reprise will be tougher considering it has six more stages from eight a year ago and will cover a distance of 1,816.53 kilometers of long and winding flat roads, rolling hills and steep climbs.

And there will be two arduous ascents right on the 150.08km Stage One – a pair of Category 2 climbs in old Payapa road, now known as Diokno Highway, before finishing in front of the Praying Hands in Tagaytay.

But Joo will not be facing two of his staunchest rivals the last time – Jan Paul Morales of Navy-Standard Insurance and Joshua Pascual from Excellent Noodles.

Morales, last year’s runner-up who ended up a few seconds behind, is out due to previous commitment with Navy, while Pascual, who swooped the Eagle of the Mountain award from nowhere last year, did not join due to undisclosed reasons.

But there would be no shortage of talents with more international squads like CCN Factory Racing of Hong Kong, LCW UAE Cycle, Ponti Wijaya Racing Team of Indonesia, Seoul Cycling Team and the Malaysian national team.

There’s also Standard Insurance headed by battle-tested Ronald Oranza, Junrey Navarra, Ronald Lomotos and John Paul Camingao.