Defending champion Dae Yeong Joo of Gapyeong Cycling Team delivered the much-awaited comeback performance in Stage 11 of the MPTC Tour of Luzon 2026, storming to a dramatic solo victory with a winning time of 3 hours, 19 minutes, and 16 seconds.
The early portions of the stage from Candon City to San Juan, La Union saw the peloton remain largely controlled despite several lead and chase group attempts throughout the route. The race only fully ignited in the final 15 kilometers, where Joo finally unleashed the aggressive riding fans had been anticipating since the start of the tour.
The final 20 minutes heavily favored the Korean defending champion as repeated attempts to close him down from Yellow Jersey holder Nikita Shulchenko of LCW UAE Cycle Team failed to break his momentum. Even a late full sprint effort from Joseph Javiniar of Excellent Noodles Cycling Team proved insufficient as Joo powered to a commanding solo finish.
Joo Dae Yeong of Gapyeong Cycling Team secured first place in Stage 11, followed by Saniy Syahmi Mohd Safiee of National Team Malaysia in second, while Dominic Pvt. Perez of Pangasinan Cycling Team completed the podium in third place.
Shulchenko successfully retained the Individual General Classification Yellow Jersey and remains firmly in control of the overall standings. After taking the King of the Mountain jersey in Stage 10, Ronnilan Quita of 7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines Team continued to defend the polka dot jersey with determination. Quita remains one of the strongest Filipino climbers in the race and continues to play a major role in the overall classification battle alongside teammate Mervin Corpuz.
Meanwhile, Ivan Anisimov of LCW UAE Cycle Team maintained control of the Individual Points Classification through another consistent sprint performance, while Joo added further dominance to his comeback stage by also claiming the Most Combative Rider honors.
Yousef Ibrahiem Alrefai of LCW UAE Cycle Team continued to hold the Best Young Rider Classification White Jersey as the young contender steadily remains among the top overall performers of the tour.
Adding further pride for the Filipino squad, Corpuz of 7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines Team was hailed as the Candon City Bypass Road Circuit King. In the Team General Classification, 7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines Team retained the overall lead after another strong collective performance across the demanding Stage 11 route.
Joo’s stage victory also sent a strong warning to the rest of the contenders. While the time gap built by Shulchenko may still secure his hold on the Yellow Jersey for now, movements within the Individual General Classification are becoming increasingly dangerous for the race leader.
With Antoine Huby of 7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines Team and Yousef Ibrahiem Alrefai of LCW UAE Cycle Team slowly closing the gap, strategic energy management may now become critical for Shulchenko in the remaining decisive stages.
Whether a Filipino rider or a foreign contender ultimately emerges victorious, one thing has become certain in the MPTC Tour of Luzon 2026: no rider at the top can afford complacency, because the mountains are still waiting to make the final decision.
