PASIR PUTEH Up-and-coming rider Ren Bao Tsen was determined to make an impact in the third stage of Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) today (Sept 30) and was rewarded with the Best Southeast Asian Rider daily award.
Ren Bao, who rides for Australian outfit St George Continental, finished 28th in the same group as stage winner Matteo Malucelli (XDS Astana Team).
It was a respectable result considering the 198.2km stage – the second longest in the tour this year – featured three intermediate sprints and three categorised climbs, including a tough category one effort at Puncak Titiwangsa.
Ren Bao knew he had to race smart if he was to do well in the third stage.
The 22-year-old said he was tempted to go hard early on but reined in his efforts to ensure he could finish strong.
“I felt pretty good early on, I made the jump and moved to Jambaljamts Sainbayar (Burgos Burpellet BH) but then he counter-attacked,” said a buzzing Ren Bao.
“But then I thought I should conserve energy because there is a climb coming up. I just tried to ride to my own rhythm and if I’m there, I’m there.
“But I was also determined to do well and I told the boys’ (teammates) I want it so bad today so I took the risk and went full send at the end. I just want to thank the boys’ for helping position me in the final five kilometres.
“It came down to a reduced bunch sprint and I had the confidence to sprint.
“This is a good beginning for me, it definitely helps to boost my motivation.”
Malaysia Pro Cycling’s (MPC) Zulkifli Zulfikri (41st) and national team rider Kee Zhe Yie (51st) were the only other Malaysian riders to finish in the same group.
Terengganu Cycling Team’s (TSG) Nur Aiman Rosli finished over 15 minutes off the pace and subsequently lost his white jersey (Asian riders’ classification) to teammate Vadim Pronskiy.
Malaysia’s top sprinters Wan Abdul Rahman Hamdan, Harrif Saleh (both TSG), Ahmad Syazrin Awang Ilah, Izzat Hilmi Abdul Halil (both MPC) and Elmi Jumari (national team) finished the day further back in the grupetto.
– NST
