While international riders dominated the 2026 MPTC Tour of Luzon from start to finish, the biggest breakthrough for Philippine cycling may have come from a 23-year-old rider quietly climbing the general classification in the final days of the race.
Nash Lim of MPT DriveHub emerged as the highest-finishing Filipino rider in the country’s biggest cycling spectacle, ending the 14-stage race in fourth overall with a total time of 41 hours, 20 minutes, and 23 seconds.
What made Lim’s performance stand out was the way he built momentum late in the Tour. After hovering outside the spotlight and remaining inside the top 20 during the early stages, he steadily transformed into one of the strongest riders in the field when the race shifted toward endurance and precision.
The turning point came during the individual time trials in Pagudpud and Lingayen — stages that rewarded tactical discipline and raw power more than pack racing. Lim placed fourth in the first race-against-the-clock event in Stage 7 before delivering one of the best rides by a Filipino cyclist in the Tour when he finished third in the Lingayen ITT during Stage 13.
That performance catapulted him to fourth overall entering the final stage, a position he successfully defended until the finish in Baguio City.
Lim ultimately ended the Tour just 9 minutes and 13 seconds behind Russian champion Nikita Shulchenko of LCW UAE Cycle, while finishing 1 minute and 21 seconds ahead of fellow Filipino rider Ronnilan Quita of 7-Eleven Roadbike Philippines, who placed fifth overall.
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Although racing for Slovenia-based UCI Continental squad Factor Racing internationally, Lim was recruited by coach Mark Galedo to reinforce MPT DriveHub’s campaign for the summer spectacle. The decision paid off as Lim became the team’s strongest weapon in the general classification battle.
Galedo had earlier instructed his squad to prioritize the overall standings instead of defending the team championship MPT won the previous year — a decision validated by Lim’s late surge.
Before excelling on the road, Lim first built his foundation in mountain biking. His transition into elite road racing accelerated after discovering his potential in individual time trials, eventually becoming a national champion in the discipline.
His showing in this year’s Tour also caught the attention of race officials and sports leaders who viewed his rise as a sign that Filipino riders can eventually challenge stronger foreign squads with the right support system.
“Actually I’ve been asking around who among the local riders really have the potential and his name had come up,” said Patrick Gregorio, Philippine Sports Commissioner chair and one of the architects behind the Tour’s revival.
“That’s why we should think deeper on how we can help our young athletes like him more,” Gregorio added.
Even as foreign teams controlled much of the race, Gregorio believes the experience remains essential for local cyclists trying to elevate their level in international competition.
The successful staging of the 14-leg Tour also fueled anticipation for the event’s future. During the closing ceremonies at Camp John Hay in Baguio, Arrey Perez, the Tour’s chief executive officer and chief organizer, hinted that the race would return.
Gregorio also revealed that organizers are exploring the possibility of eventually expanding the Tour beyond Luzon.
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