The Seoul Cycling team checked in with a clocking of five hours, 13 minutes and 12 seconds in the 223.7-kilometer race course that started in front of the Tuguegarao City Hall in Cagayan and ended at the Pagudpud Municipal Hall here.
“Actually, it was not my plan (to win this stage) because I’m aiming for tomorrow’s (individual) time trial stage. But I got the chance and I took it,” said Min, who won his longest career solo win.
The 29-year-old Seoul native broke away from the lead pack in the last 30 kilometers during the climb in the lone King of the Mountain stage heading into the Ilocos Norte welcome arch.
“I saw many riders struggling on the mountain so I thought maybe I could go solo. So, I tried and took it,” Min added.
Min was ahead by one minute and 17 seconds of second-placer Ivan Anisimov, who ruled Stage 4 and 5, of LCW UAE Cycling Team and Ronald Oranza of Standard Insurance.
Also included in the mass finish behind Min was Nikita Shulchenko of LCW UAE, who, despite ending in 16th retained his hold of the symbolic yellow jersey for the individual general classification leader.
The Russian rider recorded a total time of 19:01:14 near the halfway point of the 14-stage bikefest.
He stayed 49 seconds clear of teammate Yousef Ibrahiem Alrefai and two minutes and 13 seconds ahead of third-running local rider Dave Montemayor of Go for Gold Philippines.
Go for Gold kept its lead in the team general classification with an aggregate time of 77:13:18.
Standard Insurance behind Oranza’s heroics moved up to second place to overtake 7-Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines with just a minute and one second behind Go for Gold.
7-Eleven slipped two minutes and 48 seconds back.
Stage 7 on Tuesday is a 22.9-km individual time trial race starting and concluding at the Pagudpud Town Hall.
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