MELAKA: Tudor Pro Cycling Team’s Arvid de Kleijn backed-up his opening day win with another emphatic victory in the sixth stage of Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) today.
Despite a number of breakaways earlier in the day, the 174.5 kilometre stage from Karak to Bandar Hilir, Melaka, ended with another bunch sprint in what was the hottest day of the tour so far.
De Kleijn hit the finish line first in four hours, eight minutes and 19 seconds.
Human Powered Health’s Sasha Weemaes and Astana Qazaqstan’s Gleb Syritsa settled for second and third, replicating the outcome of the first stage last week.
De Kleijn, who is the first Dutchman to win in Melaka since Jans Koerts in 2001, was in a confident mood today.
“I think everybody saw that it was a great team effort (from Tudor Pro). With a lead-out like this it was just amazing and I am glad I could finish it off,” said de Kleijn.
“There was a bit of headwind so I knew I couldn’t go full gas from the beginning.
“But I think I had it (sprint) under control, I probably had one more acceleration left (in the tank).
“We will keep on doing this and hopefully it (tour) will end in the same way (with another win).”
The win further strengthened de Kleijn’s grip on the orange jersey (sprinters classification). He now has a nine point advantage over second-placed Enrico Zanoncello (Green Project-Bardiani CSF-Faizane).
Terengganu Polygon Cycling Team’s (TSG) Jambaljamts Sainbayar, who started the day 3:30s down in the general classficiation (green jersey), went hard from the start today and was part of a three-man breakaway which included Malaysia national team rider Nur Aiman Rosli.
The Mongolian, who at one point held a 4 minute gap on the peloton, went on to claim maximum points at Pelangai and Batu Kikir (both intermediate sprints) as well as the two climbs at Gapoi (category four) and Luak Inas (category three) before being reeled-in.
Jambaljamts’ performance earned himself the most combative rider award for the stage. He is currently second in the Asian riders classification (white jersey), 2:07s adrift of Astana Qazaqstan’s Vadim Pronskiy.
EF Education-EasyPost’s Simon Carr, who leads the GC after winning in Genting Highlands yesterday, said he was not worried by Jambaljamts aggressive riding today.
Carr leads the GC with a 49s advantage over second-placed teammate Jefferson Alexander Cepeda.
“I wasn’t really concerned (with Jambaljamts), I think with the team we have here, we definitely had it under control,” said Carr.
“We were pretty sure some of the sprinters teams would help to bring it to a sprint finish.
“In the end, the breakaway was brought back. I think he (Jambaljamts) was also in the second breakaway so he was obviously having a good day.”
Simon Pellaud (Tudor Pro) remains in the lead in the mountains classification (polka dot jersey) with a 32 point lead.
The seventh stage tomorrow will start in Muar and end in Seremban Two covering a total distance of 123.8km with sprint points on offer at Umbai, Cheng and Linggi.
– NST
