Australia’s Coyle rules stage 4 of 10th Le Tour de Filipinas in Legazpi City

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay: Jeroen Meijers of the retained his hold of the general classification lead while Australian Jesse Coyle claimed the penultimate Stage 4 honors of the 10th Le Tour de Filipinas, The Manila Times reported.

Coyle, who hails from Sydney, finished the 176-kilometer out-and-back route in four hours, 28 minutes and 41 seconds to give his Team Nero Bianchi its second podium finish in the tournament after his teammate Samuel Hill topped the second stage the other day.

The 24-year old Coyle shut his eyes and pedaled away from first runner-up Muhammad Shaiful Adlan Mohd Shukri of Malaysia after seeing the finish gantry at 30 meters away, said the Times report.

“He (Shukri) attacked me probably four times and I was on my limit. I just shut my eyes and kicked when I saw the finish line. I got so excited to claim my first UCI win and second win for the team. So, it’s really amazing,” the Times quoted Coyle as saying.

He reportedly consumed five liters of water to remain hydrated under the scorching sun.

Shukri of Team Sapura Cycling that closely challenged Vogt beginning the last 20-kilometer mark finished in second place followed by teammate and Stage 2 winner Mario Vogt.

“I spewed on the line in the last 20km and it really paid off,” added Coyle, who was a surprise leader by breaking away with 60km on the line together with Shukri after the peloton caught the lead group manned by Junrey Navarra of the Philippine National Team.

Jhon Mark Camingao of the Philippine National Team donned the NMM King of the Mountain blue jersey by conquering the 2.2km Forest Lake Memorial Park route.

The fifth and final 145.8km stage is an out-and-back route again in Legazpi City via Donsol in Sorsogon, known for its rolling hills and winding roads. (Contributed photo)