BITUKANG MANOK once again lived up to its fearsome reputation as Stage 4 of the MPTC Tour of Luzon 2026 tore through Nueva Vizcaya’s punishing Cordillera terrain, with zigzag climbs, rolling hills, and technical descents pushing riders to their absolute limits. These brutal conditions set the stage for the race, where Ivan Anisimov of LCW UAE Cycle powered to victory with a time of 03:59:41.
The race opened with a surprise attack, not from Anisimov but from defending champion Joo Dae Yeong of GAPYEONG CYCLING TEAM. Joo launched an early breakaway, quickly carving out a 17 second gap ahead of the peloton.
He claimed the first KOM alongside Rustom Lim of MPT Drivehub Pro Cycling Team and Jonel Carcueva of 7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines Team, with Benedict Soriano of Pangasinan Cycling Team chasing from behind.
By KOM 2, the race intensified. Only three riders maintained the punishing pace, rotating positions but refusing to give ground. Joo led the charge, followed closely by Lim and Ronnilan Quita of 7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines Team. At KOM 3, the order shifted slightly as Quita surged ahead, followed by Joo and Lim, signaling a tightening contest among the climbers.
At 11:23 AM, Joo entered Nueva Vizcaya solo, holding a 27 second advantage with 56 kilometers still to go. The heat became a major factor, with the race hitting a scorching 40 degree heat index by midday. At 42 kilometers remaining around 12:20 PM, riders battled both terrain and temperature in what turned into a true test of endurance.
By 12:30 PM, the lead group saw fresh movement as Yousef Ibrahiem Alrefai of LCW, Joo, and Lim pushed the pace at the front.
Despite dominating the climbs earlier, Joo’s effort took its toll. In the final 3 kilometer KOM, he cracked under pressure and was swallowed by the chasing peloton on the unforgiving Nueva Vizcaya roads.
As the riders approached the final kilometer, anticipation surged among spectators lining the route. The leaders appeared in the distance, and for the first time in this stage, a bunch sprint loomed. The peloton thundered toward the finish, and in a dramatic charge to the line, Anisimov surged ahead to claim the stage win.
In the Stage Individual Classification, Anisimov of LCW secured first place, followed by Jung Hoon Lee of SEOUL CYCLING TEAM in second, and Quita of 7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines Team, in third.
Nikita Shulchenko of LCW successfully defended the Yellow Jersey, while Anisimov claimed the Violet Jersey. Joo continued to showcase his strength by wearing both the Polka Dot Jersey for the Mountain Classification and the Red Jersey for Most Combative Rider. Emmanuel Dave Montemayor of GO FOR GOLD PHILIPPINES held the Green Jersey for Sprint, and young Alrefai of LCW retained the White Jersey as Best Young Rider. In the Team General Classification, Go for Gold Philippines maintained their lead.
The awarding ceremony was attended by Mayor Antonio Bagasao, former Eagle of the Mountain winner P/Sr. Insp. Domingo Duldulao Quilban, and Donna Liza Gambito, daughter of Governor Jose Gambito.
The race continues tomorrow as riders head from Nueva Vizcaya to Tuguegarao, where an even harsher 42 degree heat index is expected. The conditions promise another demanding stage, one that could open opportunities for riders ready to push beyond their limits.
