BINTULU – Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL rider Max Poole made history by becoming the second British cyclist to be crownd as the the overall champion of the PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2024 on Sunday.
The climbing specialist was crowned champion with an overall time of 26:27.44, also claiming the Green Jersey for this year’s 28th edition.
Poole can take pride in maintaining the reputation of British riders in the LTdL, following EF Education-EasyPost’s Simor Carr, who won in 2023.
Although he finished the final stage in Bintulu at 35th place with a time of three hours, seven minutes, and 38 seconds, this was sufficient for Poole to secure the championship.
Notably, at 21 years and 219 days old, Poole became one of the youngest champion of this prestigious Asian race, just one day older than the youngest ever champion, Jonathan Monsalve, who won in 2011 at 21 years and 218 days.
“I came to Malaysia not to make new history for the LTdL. Honestly, I never thought about becoming the youngest winner. Instead, I focused on each stage of the race.
“Perhaps my victory in Stage 3 (from Taiping to Cameron Highlands) opened the door for me to become the overall champion.
“I’m thrilled with my success in the LTdL this year; it was a fantastic week. I hope to return next year to defend my title. This victory gives me motivation to pursue more achievements in my professional career,” said Poole.
Second place went to Thomas Pesenti from JCL Team Ukyo, who finished just 0.13 seconds behind Poole, while Unai Iribar Jauregi from Equipo Kern Pharma came in third with 26:28.04.
The best Malaysian rider was Muhammad Nur Aiman Mohd Zariff from Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG), who placed 41st overall with a time of 26:35.18.
In addition to Poole’s remarkable victory, LTdL 2024 also saw JCL Team Ukyo’s Matteo Malucelli achieve a hat trick, being crowned the King of Sprints.
After winning Stages 2 and 7, the Italian sprinter secured victory in Stage 8, a 147.5-kilometer race around Bintulu, which began and ended at Lasar Kenyalang, today.
This final stage win was enough for Malucelli to clinch the Orange Jersey, denying Tudor Pro Cycling Team’s Arvid de Kleijn the chance to retain his sprint title.
Malucelli accumulated 80 points, two points ahead of de Kleijn, who won Stages 4 and 5, while Gleb Syritsa from Astana Qazaqstan Team finished third with 57 points.
“Once again, thanks to my teammates; they did a great job. My tactics today were the same as yesterday – I just attacked at the end of the race. I never expected to win three stage victories in the LTdL this year. Winning three stages and the Orange Jersey is amazing,” Malucelli said.
Meanwhile, JCL Team UKYO’s Manabu Ishibashi confirmed his status as the Best Asian Rider, wearing the White Jersey with an overall time of 26:30.02.
The Polka Dot Jersey for the King of the Mountains went to Munoz Mario Aparicio from Burgos-BH, who collected 27 points after there were no climbing zones in the final stage.
As expected, the Spanish-based Equipo Kern Pharma emerged as the overall team champion with a total time of 79:24.12, followed closely by Astana Qazaqstan Team (79:25.42) and Team Polti Kometa (79:25.52).
JCL Team UKYO won the best Asian team with a total time of 79:35.36, followed by the national team from Thailand (79:58.24) and Malaysia Pro Cycling (MPC) at 79:58.46.
PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi 2024 Roll of Honours
- General Classification (PETRONAS Green Jersey)
Max Poole (DSM Firmenich PostNL)
- Best Asian Rider (MSN White Jersey)
Ishida Manabu (JCL Team Ukyo)
- Best Sprinter (KBS Orange Jersey)
Matteo Malucelli (JCL Team Ukyo)
- Best Climber – KOM (Tourism Malaysia Polka Dot Jersey)
Mauro Aparicio Munoz (BBH)
- Team General Classification
Equipo Kern Pharma
- Best Asian Team
JCL Team Ukyo
