Syrian Yousef Ibrahiem Alrefai seizes spotlight as foreign riders dominate Tour of Luzon Stage 1

Stage 1 of the MPTC Tour of Luzon opened with a demanding 143.7-kilometer ride from Calatagan, Batangas to the highlands of Tagaytay City, and by the time the peloton reached the summit, it was clear that the visiting squads came prepared to take control.

At the center of it all was 19-year-old Yousef Ibrahiem Alrefai, who turned a calculated chase into a statement victory, clocking in at 3:36:35 to secure the stage win—and with it, the coveted yellow jersey.

Beyond claiming the stage win and yellow jersey, Alrefai swept the honors by taking the King of the Mountain (polka dot) jersey and best young rider award. 

But Alrefai’s triumph wasn’t a solo act. It was the finishing touch to a well-executed team effort by Dubai-based LCW UAE Cycling, which orchestrated a decisive late push.

Alongside him at the finish was Russian teammate Nikita Shulchenko, completing a 1-2 finish with identical times, separated only by bonus seconds. Alrefai’s stage victory earned him a 10-second cushion, placing him four seconds ahead of Shulchenko in the general classification.

Alrefai and Shulchenko reel in defending champion Joo Daeyeong, who had earlier attempted a solo escape.

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Egyptian Yousif Ibrahiem and Russian Nikita Shulchenko of LCW UAE just topped the Calatagan-Tagaytay Stage 1 of the MPTC Tour of Luzon 2026. @PhilippineStar pic.twitter.com/QQsaTPImVi

— Joey Villar (@JoeySVillar) April 29, 2026

LOOK: Stage 1 results of the MPTC Tour of Luzon won by 19-year-old Syrian Yousef Ibrahiem Alrefai. #TourOfLuzon2026 | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/SIdjv8sQIa

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) April 29, 2026

Joo, last year’s champion, ultimately faded into the peloton and settled for 15th place, which is an early stumble in his title defense.

Behind the leading duo, Britain’s Douglas Tyler Hannay delivered a strong ride for local squad Excellent Noodles, finishing third at 1:56 back. 

He edged out Filipino riders Jericho Jay Lucero and Rench Michael Bondoc of Go for Gold Philippines, who both crossed at 2:06 behind the leader—the best finishes among the local contingent.

Still, the day belonged to Alrefai, who not only claimed the stage but swept all individual jerseys on offer—an emphatic introduction in his first race on Philippine roads.

“It’s my first time in the Philippines. I have no idea about the levels of the riders. So I was just chasing today. I’m really happy. Let’s complete it until Baguio. I was amazed by my local teammates. They really supported us, and so glad to get our first ever stage victory here in the Philippines,” Alrefai said.

Despite identical finishing times, the bonus system shuffled the standings, Hannay sits 2:02 off the lead, while Lucero and Bondoc trail by 2:06. Joo, aided by time bonuses, remains within striking distance at sixth overall, 2:17 behind, with a larger group at back.

The race now shifts gears from climbing strength to team precision as the tour heads north to Clark, Pampanga for Stage 2 on April 30 wherein a 43-kilometer team time trial culminates in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac.

After one stage, the road to Luzon’s summit runs through a tightly knit foreign squad firing on all cylinders.

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