KUAH: Nur Aiman Rosli’s attacking efforts in the opening stage of Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) saw him rewarded with the white jersey today (Sept 28).
The Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) rider was aggressive from the start and made sure he was part of the early breakaway.
He earned valuable bonus seconds after coming in first at Harbour Park and Padang Matsirat and also placed third at Bayas (intermediate sprints).
It was enough to see him move into the lead in the Asian riders’ classification (white jersey) on two hours and 15 seconds. Aisan’s George Matsui (Japan) is second, five seconds adrift while Aiman’s teammate Harrif Saleh is third overall (+7s)
Aiman, who is also second in the general classification behind today’s stage winner Matteo Malucelli, was visibly pleased with his performance.
“My team told me to go for the breakaways today and that is exactly what I did,” said Aiman.
“The conditions were a bit tricky due to the rain early on but this is something I have prepared for. I knew how to handle the situation.
“I am grateful to get the white jersey and will try to hang on to it for as long as I can.
“I expect the competition to get tougher with each stage. The really big teams were just settling in today, I expect them to go full gas in the upcoming stages.”
This is the third consecutive season that Aiman has taken charge of the LTdL white jersey though has yet to win it outright.
Harrif finished ninth in the first stage which started and ended in Kuah (96.7km). It also earned him the Best Southeast Asian rider daily award, which is based on finishing position rather than time.
Malaysia Pro Cycling’s (MPC) Ahmad Syazrin Awang Illah was unfortunate to crash roughly eight kilometres from the finish but was able to complete the stage after a bike change.
He is expected to be fit to race in the second stage tomorrow (Sept 29) which is also expected to finish in another bunch sprint.
The second stage will start in Padang Besar and end in Kepala Batas (166.1km) with intermediate sprints in Jitra, Pendang and Sungai Petani along the way.
– NST
