BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The 2025 MPTC Tour of Luzon came to a breathtaking conclusion at the scenic and challenging highlands of Baguio, with South Korea’s Daeyeong Joo of Gapyeong Cycling Team (GPCT) claiming the coveted Yellow Jersey as Overall Individual Champion in one of the closest Tour finishes in recent memory.
Joo emerged victorious after eight grueling stages totaling 1,074 kilometers, crossing the line with a total time of 22:21:08, just six seconds ahead of Filipino veteran Jan Paul Morales, who finished second overall.
Jonel Carcueva, Nichol Pareja, and Jeremy Lizardo rounded out the top five—all finishing within a narrow 33-second margin, a rare show of intense parity in elite cycling.
🌄 Baguio Closes Out the Great Revival
The final and most grueling stage, spanning 177.54 kilometers from Lingayen, Pangasinan, through Malasiqui, Kennon Road, Loakan Road, and ending at Scout Hill in Camp John Hay, tested the mettle of every cyclist.
Baguio, with its signature cool air and challenging terrain, proved both breathtaking and brutal.
The race’s closing and awarding ceremonies were held at the John Hay Convention Center, led by Patrick C. Gregorio (Tour Chairman, Duckworld PH) and Arrey Perez (Executive Director, MPTC Tour of Luzon).
Guests included Atty. Hilario B. Paredes (Chairman, BCDA), Mayor Benjie Magalong, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla, and Sienna Olaso of Cignal TV.
🏆 Final Standings and Awards
🔶 Individual General Classification (Top 5):
- Daeyeong Joo (22:21:08) ₱1,000,000
- Jan Paul Morales (+00:00:06) — ₱500,000
- Jonel Carcueva (+00:02:22) — ₱330,000
- Nichol Pareja (+00:02:27) — ₱220,000
- Jeremy Lizardo (+00:02:41) — ₱120,000
💨 Best Sprinter:
- Mervin Corpuz (MPTD) — ₱30,000 + 1-year Cignal TV subscription
- Ean Cajucom — ₱20,000
- Jan Paul Morales — ₱30,000 + 1-year Cignal TV subscription
🌱 Best Young Rider (Under 23):
- James Paul Ryan Escumbien (G4G) — ₱100,000
- Dave Eeron Cangayao — ₱50,000
- John Patrick Pagtalunan — ₱30,000
🏔️ Eagle of the Mountain:
- Joshua Pascual (Excellent Noodles) — ₱100,000 (plus $1,500 from Legado Motors CEO Wilbert A. Lim)
- Jan Paul Morales — ₱30,000
- Jonel Carcueva — ₱30,000
👥 Best Team (Team General Classification):
- MPT Drivehub Cycling Team (MPTD) — ₱1,000,000
- Standard Insurance Philippines (SIP) — ₱700,000
- Go For Gold Philippines (G4G) — ₱500,000
- Victoria Sports Pro Cycling Team (VSPC) — ₱300,000
- 7-Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines (7RP) — ₱200,000
🌍 Battle of the Best: Local Meets Global
The Tour welcomed thirteen Philippine-based teams, including Union Cycliste Internatonalé (UCI) continental squads:
- Standard Insurance Philippines
- 7-Eleven Cliqq
- Go for Gold
- Victoria Sports
Regional powerhouses:
- Excellent Noodles
- Dandex T-Prime
- D’Reyna Orion Cement
- One Mindanao
- Crest Forwarder 1 Team Visayas
- MPT Drivehub
- Pangasinan
- Exodus Army
- Tom N Tom’s Philippines
They faced stiff competition from four international teams:
🌐 Gapyeong Cycling Team (South Korea)
🌐 Malaysia Pro Cycling Team
🌐 Bryton Racing Team (Taiwan)
🌐 CNN Racing Factory (Hong Kong)
Each team fielded seven elite or U23 riders, all UCI-licensed, making this year’s competition one of the most international in Tour history.
🚑 CSMC: Guardians of the Peloton
Throughout the Tour, Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) played a critical role in safeguarding the well-being of riders.
As the official medical partner, CSMC deployed its Hospital on Wheels, ambulance units, and emergency medical teams across the race’s entire stretch.
From Paoay, Ilocos Norte to Baguio City, and through over 30 partner hospitals in Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, La Union, Pampanga, and Benguet, the CSMC team handled mostly minor injuries—an outcome that speaks to the athletes’ preparation and the high quality of medical readiness.
“Our medical teams went the distance with every rider,” said CSMC President & CEO Ruel C. Pagdanganan. “We’re proud to have supported the Tour and to have safeguarded the health and spirit of our cyclists.”
🔁 Legacy and the Road Ahead
In a heartfelt moment, Sylvia Lina, widow of the late cycling patron Bert Lina, symbolically passed the torch to Luis Renon (CFO, MPTC) and Boy Martinez (COO, Smart Communications), affirming continued corporate commitment to Philippine cycling.
Race Director Jun Lomibao also paid tribute to former champions Paquito Rivas, Carlo Guieb, and Renato Dolosa, linking generations of Filipino cycling greatness.
As the sun set on the 2025 edition, Executive Director Arrey Perez confirmed that planning for MPTC Tour of Luzon 2026 is already underway—with promises of bigger stages, tougher routes, and more unforgettable stories.
“This is not the end,” Perez declared. “It’s just the beginning of more to come.”
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