Imami could have been overtaken but teammate Mirsamad Pourseyedi Golakhour quashed the Filipinos’ uprising with a brilliant tactical race to win the gruelling stage, enough to keep Imami on top of the standings.

Golakhour, 25, outpedalled Cris Joven of American Vynil on the way to a three-bike length victory – a follow-up to his impressive Langkawi Tour performance in Malaysia where he also won a lap.

He credited his win to a pleasant weather condition that enabled him to sustain his daring early attack.

“(There was) no problem (along the way). Not hot. (I) attack from start to finish,” said the 5-foot-8 Golakhour after crossing the finish line at the well-paved Maramba Boulevard in this coastal city in three hour, 37 minutes and 12 seconds.

Golakhour’s time significantly reflected on their team Azad University which has dislodged overnight leader 7-Eleven from overall team standing, while preserving well Emami’s hold of the yellow jersey for third straight day in this event presented by KIA with Air21 and Smart as backers.

Emami, who came in with a group of 48 riders that crossed the finish line some 57 seconds adrift at 3:38.09, had a three-lap aggregate of 9:05.51.

Joven and Golakhour started their move in the nine-kilometer mark in Iba, Zambales where the race was started from the peleton.

Joven, Golakhour and Renato Sembrano of Road Bike Philippines were together inside the 66 kilometer stretch with lead as big as three minutes.

But just before the trio made an uphill climb in the King of the Mountain-designated stretch in the 95 kilometer mark in Mabini town, Sembrano gave up, leaving Golakhour and Joven to continue what has become a tight duel.

So spirited was the duel that Golakhour had to keep his speed above the average of 48 to 50 kph to keep at bay the Bicolano rider who turned furious as the race reached its end.

By the time the two reached the last four kilometers entering the Barangay Poblacion in Lingayen, Golakhour was already 50 seconds ahead.

Joven said he tried to push a little harder but to no avail, as he could not overtake the Iranian.

“Ang lakas,” uttered Joven, referring to the Iranian. “Nagme-maintain siya ng 48 to 50 kilometers per hour. Di ko na sinubukan ulet kahit parehas lang kami ng kinakain.”

All 61 riders that survived the grueling three laps will be tested further today as they face a literally monumental challenge, with a 112.50 kilometer trek from this city to Baguio City noted for its steep elevation.