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MANAN MAKES HISTORY WITH FIRST MALAYSIAN STAGE WIN
PORT DICKSON - If there was ever any doubt that the Asian riders had stepped things up a level in this year’s Le Tour de Langkawi, today’s stage confirmed that point beyond question. Less than twenty-four hours after Japanese champion Taiji Nishitani (Aisan Racing Team) won into Parit Sulong, Anuar Manan made history when he took the first-ever Malaysian stage victory in the race.
The talented 23 year old burst out of the peloton at the end of the 111.5 kilometre stage to Port Dickson, hitting the line ahead of Vidal Celis (Footon-Servetto) and René Haselbacher (Vorarlberg-Corratec). What’s more, he won the first intermediate sprint and ended the day a full nine points clear of Michael Matthews (Team Jayco Skins) in the green jersey competition.
Matthews had taken the jersey from him yesterday, but Manan was clearly stronger today, and must fancy his chances of winning the points competition outright when the race ends on Sunday.
“I feel very happy. I want to say thanks to the Malaysian people who always support me,” the Geumsan Ginseng Asia rider said, clearly delighted with his victory, and reception, in Port Dickson. “I had to win the stage for the Malaysian team, who were also helping me to get through today. I had to not lose too much energy by taking [intermediate] points, and instead to save energy for the last sprint.”
Manan said after yesterday’s stage that these efforts during the stage had been his undoing, in that he had dug deep to contest the final intermediate sprint of the day but had been found lacking in the gallop for the stage win itself. Today, he turned around and did the opposite; it paid off very well.
“I took things more easily today. I took back the lead in the green jersey competition in the first intermediate sprint – I got into the breakaway and many Malaysian riders like Loh Sea Keong from Marco Polo and two riders from the Malaysian team were helping me to take the intermediate sprint points. I got that sprint and moved ahead [of Matthews].
“I didn’t have to put out too much power for the intermediate. In the second intermediate, I just watched Matthew and he didn’t take any points. I just stayed in the group, saving my energy. It was not like yesterday, when I was always fighting for the first, second and third intermediate sprints.”
Manan slipped away with 13 others after just two kilometres of racing. Together with Pedro Merino (Footon-Servetto), Pierpaolo De Negri (ISD-Neri), Rene Weissinger (Vorarlberg-Corratec), Peter McDonald (Drapac Porsche Cycling), Ghader Mizbani (Tabriz Petrochemical Cycling), Sea Keong Loh (Marco Polo Cycling Team), Takeaki Ayabe (Aisan Racing Team), Malcom Rudolph (Team Jayco- Skins), Hossein Nateghi (Azad University Iran), Scott Zwizanski (Kelly Benefit Strategies), Christoff Van Heerden (South Africa National Team), Rusli Amir (Malaysia National Team) and Shahrul Mat Amin (Malaysia National Team), this group opened up a 50 second lead.
It was ultimately brought back by a furious chase behind, but by this time Manan had won the first intermediate sprint in Umbai.
Matthews missed the move and consequently conceded five points to his rival in the green jersey contest. He also missed out on top points in the second prime as Alexandr Shushemoin (Kazakhstan National Team) and then Bradeley Hall (Marco Polo Cycling Team) got clear just past the fifty kilometre point, and build up a strong lead together. Two other riders nabbed the points for third and fourth.
Shushemoin and Hall duo stayed out front for 40 kilometres and also disputed the third bonus sprint, with the earlier placings being reversed here.
The move was ultimately snuffed out less than 20 kilometres from the end, paving the way for the big bunch sprint and Manan’s breakthrough win.
Overnight race leader Tobias Erler (Tabriz Petrochemical Cycling Team) remains in the yellow jersey. He picked up an extra second when placing third in one of the day’s intermediate sprints.
Erler is now six seconds ahead of David Pell (Drapac Porsche Cycling) and a further two up on Jay Thomson (South Africa National Team). However, with Genting suiting the pure climbers in the race, he admitted that he is not very optimistic about staying on top.
“I think it is almost zero percent, unless the other guys crash!” he smiled, when asked about his chances. “Today my team-mate Ghader Mizbani had a really impressive ride, he was in the first breakaway and ISD had to chase it down. The ISD team was really strong today. They had to work almost the whole stage - hopefully they have tired legs tomorrow so that we can go…”
Erler said that he believes that less than ten riders can now win the 2010 Le Tour de Langkawi. “I think there are a few contenders - Eibegger from Footon-Servetto is one. I know him from Austria, he is a good friend of mine and I think he will be really strong tomorrow.
“There’s Rujano and Pydgomyy from ISD, and then four guys from my team. I think it depends on the shape of the day, so it is hard to make a pick, but I think that one of those seven riders will make the race.”
Erler gives the impression of someone who has enjoyed his time in yellow. Even if his stay in that jersey comes to an end tomorrow, it is certain that he will leave Malaysia with very satisfied thoughts about his time here, and the warm reception he got from the country’s people.
Genting beckons:
Apart from the battle for the yellow jersey, the mountains competition will also enter a very important moment tomorrow. The climb of the Genting Highlands is far steeper than anything the riders have experienced thus far this year, and the field is certain to be blitzed on its wall-like slopes.
Current King of the Mountains leader Peter McDonald lost out on today’s single mountain prime, the Eye on Malaysia bridge in Melaka. He finishing outside the points and, in taking first place, Zainal Rizuan closed right up on him. McDonald ended the day with a total of eleven points; the Malaysian rider Rizuan is now on ten and could overtake him tomorrow.
However Genting Highland is a hors category (extremely difficult) grade of climb and 25 points will be awarded the winner of the stage. It’s conceivable that a rider who has not figured thus far in the competition could win the overall classification for best climber; as a result, McDonald knows a tough task is in store.
“Hopefully I can score some points,” he said. “I don’t know if I can get enough to hold onto the jersey. Today didn’t quite go to plan…the radio wasn’t working in the leadout for the KOM, so we messed that up a bit. It would have been nice to have a few more points up my sleeve, I would feel more confident, but now I really have to ride well tomorrow. It is really just up to me.
“I think I really have to get out of my comfort zone if I want a result up there in Genting. I will be looking to go with the moves and to stay with the good guys up the hill.”
Many other riders will also have the same goal of performing strongly on its cruel slopes. However, when the climb bites, only a small few will be still in contention as they near the top. A¬ complete upheaval of the general classification is guaranteed, ensuring a very exciting end to the race this weekend.
The 15th edition of the LTdL this year is organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports with assistance from the Malaysian National Cycling Federation and has been granted hors category status by the International Cycling Union (UCI). The race comprises seven stages which are Kota Bharu - Kuala Berang which covers 174.5km, followed by Kuala Terengganu - Chukai (182.3km); Pekan - Mersing (145.6km); Mersing-Parit Sulong (163.5km); Muar - Port Dickson (111.5km) Putrajaya - Genting Highlands (102.8km) dan Kuala Kubu Baru - Dataran Merdeka (133.7km), with a total distance of 1013.9km. |
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发表于 2010-3-6 09:58
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