Nikita Shulchenko pads lead in Tour of Luzon after ruling Stage 7

Russian rider Nikita Shulchenko gave his overall race lead in the 2026 MPTC Tour of Luzon a boost after conquering the Stage 7 individual time trial on Tuesday in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

The 26-year-old cyclist of the LCW UAECycle dominated the stage, clocking 30 minutes and six seconds in the 22.9-kilometer course to further extend his lead in the individual general classification with a total time of 19:31:20.

Yousef Ibrahiem Alrefai, also of LCW, once again finished second, replicating his result from Stage 6. He is also second in in the classification, trailing Shulchenko with a +00:01:38.

Seoul Cycling Team's Min Kyeong Ho, the winner of the previous stage, finished third in Stage 7, behind Shulchenko and Alrefai.

Despite not finishing at the podium in Stage 7, Filipino rider Mervin Corpuz of 7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines Team (7RP) continues to banner the host country, running third in the overall standings.

Three Philippine teams lead the team general classification with Go For Gold Philippines, Standard Insurance Philippines, and 7RP ahead of the other teams.

Stage 8 will be a 157.4-km route that takes the riders from Pagudpud Town Hall to the St. Augustine Church of Paoay in Ilocos Norte.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News