Gavazzi, Serpa make it double win for Italians
15/02/2009, The Star

SHAH ALAM: Jose Serpa Perez from Diquigiovanni-Androni retained the red polka dot jersey while team-mate Mattia Gavazzi sprinted superbly to victory in the Sixth Stage of Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2009, from Batang Kali to Shah Alam.

Serpa, who conquered Genting Highlands in the Fifth Stage race on Friday, was officially crowned king of the mountain with 25 points although he did not collect any point in the last climbing zone at Bukit Badong, Kuala Selangor yesterday.

Not just the red polka dot jersey in his bag, Serpa also kept the yellow jersey for the second consecutive stage after accumulating 22’43:52, 27 seconds ahead of Jai Crawford from the Australia national team.

“It is a moment of difficulty for us but the team worked very well to win,” Colombia’s Serpa said.

“We realised that breakaway was not that far.

“Since I was feeling good, my team-mates wanted (me) to make one final effort to come to bunch finish,” said Gavazzi.

“It was a difficult moment but the team worked very well.

“The Australian team also worked very well and this all helped us to win,” said Serpa, commenting on Australia’s Jai Crawford, who came in second.

Today, the riders will conclude the race in the Kuala Lumpur Criterium, covering 80.4km.

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