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Cycling: Jan Paul Morales tops Ronda Stage 3, ascends to 3rd in standings

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img figcaption="" src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/sports/02/07/cycling.jpg"/><div class="embed-desc">Rudy Roque of the Navy team held on to first place after 3 stages of LBC Ronda Pilipinas. Photo courtesy of Ronda Pilipinas </div></figure></div>It was a matter of time before Jan Paul Morales finally made his move in LBC Ronda Pilipinas.With his Stage 3 victory on Wednesday, the defending champion now has the entire field on notice.The Navy-Standard Insurance rider showed an impressive mix of sprint and climbing skills, clocking 3 hours, 25 minutes and 46 seconds in the 137-kilometer race that started in Angeles City and finished at Harbour Square in Subic, Zambales.Ilocos Sur&#x27;s Jemico Brioso, RC Cola NCR&#x27;s Leonel Dimaano and Kinetix Lab-Army&#x27;s Cris Joven wound up tied for 2nd with a time of 3:28:32.Morales&#x27; performance catapulted him from 16th at the start of the day to 3rd overall with an aggregate time of 8:33:44. It was his 2nd stage victory after winning the criterium race in Vigan on Sunday.Fellow Navymen Rudy Roque and Ronald Lomotos remain 1-2 overall. They were stuck in the main peloton consisting of 33 riders on Wednesday, checking in with a time of 3:29:07.Roque (8:32:10) held on to the red jersey for the overall leadership, followed by Lomotos (8:32:30). From a comfortable 5-minute lead after 2 stages, only 1 1/2 minute separates Roque and fast approaching Morales now.Roque said he will do his best to bounce back in Stage 4, a 111-kilometer road race around Subic.&quot;I was heavily guarded but I will try to make a move in Stage 4 tomorrow (Thursday),&quot; the Tibo, Bataan, native said.Morales, a native of Calumpang, Marikina City, said: &quot;I&#x27;m just focused on winning this stage and made my move when I got the opportunity.&quot;He separated himself approaching the mountains of Morong, Bataan, kept his pace despite the strong winds and never looked back.&quot;I trained here last November, I&#x27;m familiar with the route,&quot; said Morales, who also won King of the Mountain that cut down his time further.Go for Gold rookie Jonel Carcueva and Kinetix Lab-Army&#x27;s Alvin Benosa wound up joint fifth in Stage 3 (3:29:01).Go for Gold&#x27;s Ismael Grospe Jr. (8:34:38) retained the No. 4 spot, while Carcueva (8:36:01) moved up to No. 5 in the P1-million race made possible by LBC and partners MVP Sports Foundation, Petron, Mitsubishi, Versa.ph, Partas, Maynilad, Standard Insurance, CCN, Bike Xtreme, NLEX, PhilCycling and 3Q Sports Event Management.(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com" target="_blank">Sports website.</a>)

With his Stage 3 victory on Wednesday, the defending champion now has the entire field on notice.

With his Stage 3 victory on Wednesday, the defending champion now has the entire field on notice.