AFTER a difficult third stage, the peloton is expected to enforce caution entering the longest stage of the LTdL this time around. The race heads North again from the start in Malacca and travels through the scenic coastal route through Tanjung Kling, Tangga Batu, Alor Gajah and Masjid Tanah before the sprinters teams take charge at the front entering the first intermediate sprint at the Naval Academy of Malaysia in Kuala Sungai Baru, 37 kilometres into the stage.

In realising the length of the stage and a difficult categorised climb that awaits, the peloton may be broken up by attacks heading into Pengkalan Kempas, Pasir Panjang and the second intermediate sprint at Port Dickson. The feeding zone allows the riders to prepare for the category 3 climb up Bukit Tangga, where the king of the mountains leader has his status under threat.

The first indicator of the real contenders in the mountains classification, however, comes in the form of the category 2 climb up Genting Perez as the peloton heads towards Hulu Langat and then the finish line in Bangi. Changes in the leadership of the four jerseys are expected to happen in this stage as well.