PORT DICKSON: Malaysian riders had their most encouraging day of the tour so far in the sixth stage of Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) today (Oct 3).
Malaysia Pro Cycling’s (MPC) Izzat Hilmi Abdul Halil crossed the line fourth in the bunch sprint, it was the highest place stage finish by a Malaysian in the tour this year.
Izzat, who now has three top 10 stage finishes in the tour this year, said finishing fourth today has made him even more determined to secure his maiden podium in the two remaining stages.
“I am grateful to finish fourth, which equals my previous best achievement from 2023, but at the same time it is also incredibly exasperating,” said Izzat, who also won the Best Southeast Asian Rider daily award for his efforts.
“The last 1 kilometre of the stage was very tricky as there was a divider on my side of the road and I had to brake and then catch up with the front group.
“I am not giving up though, I will make sure I am right up there if it finishes in another bunch sprint.
“I am determined to finish on the podium.”
The stage, which started in Shah Alam and ended in Port Dickson (123.5km), also saw national team rider Kee Zee Yie riding in the breakaway and winning the intermediate sprint at Sungai Pelek.
Zee Yie earned himself the Most Combative Rider daily award for his efforts.
Terengganu Cycling Team’s (TSG) Nur Aiman Rosli once again had Malaysian fans on the edge of their seats after he launched an audacious solo attack just four km from the finish but was caught just over two km from the end.
The time trial specialist had attempted a similar solo attack during the fourth stage from Kuala Terengganu to Kemaman.
TSG’s Harrif Saleh and Vadim Pronskiy, however, suffered crashes today. Harrif was able to resume racing but Vadim sustained injuries and was forced to abandon the tour.
“Vadim suffered quite a big gash on his thigh and had has been sent to a hospital in Banting,” said TSG sporting director Saiful Anuar Aziz.
“For the remaining stages the focus for us is to help Mathias Bregnhoj achieve a top 10 finish in the general classification (GC).”
Bregnhoj is currently 13th in the GC standings, 14 seconds off leader Joris Delbove (Team TotalEnergies).
The two remaining stages in the tour this year are also expected to finish with bunch sprints but with less than seven seconds separating the top four riders in the GC, there is expected to be fierce competition for bonus seconds via the intermediate sprints.
The seventh stage tomorrow from Melaka to Medini (214.9km) will feature three intermediate sprints at Sungai Rambai, Semerah and Pontian.
– NST
