|
MANAN
MAKES HISTORY WITH FIRST MALAYSIAN STAGE WIN
05/03/2010
PORT DICKSON - If there was ever any doubt that the Asian
riders had stepped things up a level in this year’s
Le Tour de Langkawi, today’s stage confirmed that point
beyond question. Less than twenty-four hours after Japanese
champion Taiji Nishitani (Aisan Racing Team) won into Parit
Sulong, Anuar Manan made history when he took the first-ever
Malaysian stage victory in the race.
The talented 23 year old burst out of the peloton at the end
of the 111.5 kilometre stage to Port Dickson, hitting the
line ahead of Vidal Celis (Footon-Servetto) and René
Haselbacher (Vorarlberg-Corratec). What’s more, he won
the first intermediate sprint and ended the day a full nine
points clear of Michael Matthews (Team Jayco Skins) in the
green jersey competition.
Matthews had taken the jersey from him yesterday, but Manan
was clearly stronger today, and must fancy his chances of
winning the points competition outright when the race ends
on Sunday.
“I feel very happy. I want to say thanks to the Malaysian
people who always support me,” the Geumsan Ginseng Asia
rider said, clearly delighted with his victory, and reception,
in Port Dickson. “I had to win the stage for the Malaysian
team, who were also helping me to get through today. I had
to not lose too much energy by taking [intermediate] points,
and instead to save energy for the last sprint.”
Manan said after yesterday’s stage that these efforts
during the stage had been his undoing, in that he had dug
deep to contest the final intermediate sprint of the day but
had been found lacking in the gallop for the stage win itself.
Today, he turned around and did the opposite; it paid off
very well.
“I took things more easily today. I took back the lead
in the green jersey competition in the first intermediate
sprint – I got into the breakaway and many Malaysian
riders like Loh Sea Keong from Marco Polo and two riders from
the Malaysian team were helping me to take the intermediate
sprint points. I got that sprint and moved ahead [of Matthews].
“I didn’t have to put out too much power for the
intermediate. In the second intermediate, I just watched Matthew
and he didn’t take any points. I just stayed in the
group, saving my energy. It was not like yesterday, when I
was always fighting for the first, second and third intermediate
sprints.”
Manan slipped away with 13 others after just two kilometres
of racing. Together with Pedro Merino (Footon-Servetto), Pierpaolo
De Negri (ISD-Neri), Rene Weissinger (Vorarlberg-Corratec),
Peter McDonald (Drapac Porsche Cycling), Ghader Mizbani (Tabriz
Petrochemical Cycling), Sea Keong Loh (Marco Polo Cycling
Team), Takeaki Ayabe (Aisan Racing Team), Malcom Rudolph (Team
Jayco- Skins), Hossein Nateghi (Azad University Iran), Scott
Zwizanski (Kelly Benefit Strategies), Christoff Van Heerden
(South Africa National Team), Rusli Amir (Malaysia National
Team) and Shahrul Mat Amin (Malaysia National Team), this
group opened up a 50 second lead.
It was ultimately brought back by a furious chase behind,
but by this time Manan had won the first intermediate sprint
in Umbai.
Matthews missed the move and consequently conceded five points
to his rival in the green jersey contest. He also missed out
on top points in the second prime as Alexandr Shushemoin (Kazakhstan
National Team) and then Bradeley Hall (Marco Polo Cycling
Team) got clear just past the fifty kilometre point, and build
up a strong lead together. Two other riders nabbed the points
for third and fourth.
Shushemoin and Hall duo stayed out front for 40 kilometres
and also disputed the third bonus sprint, with the earlier
placings being reversed here.
The move was ultimately snuffed out less than 20 kilometres
from the end, paving the way for the big bunch sprint and
Manan’s breakthrough win.
Overnight race leader Tobias Erler (Tabriz Petrochemical Cycling
Team) remains in the yellow jersey. He picked up an extra
second when placing third in one of the day’s intermediate
sprints.
Erler is now six seconds ahead of David Pell (Drapac Porsche
Cycling) and a further two up on Jay Thomson (South Africa
National Team). However, with Genting suiting the pure climbers
in the race, he admitted that he is not very optimistic about
staying on top.
“I think it is almost zero percent, unless the other
guys crash!” he smiled, when asked about his chances.
“Today my team-mate Ghader Mizbani had a really impressive
ride, he was in the first breakaway and ISD had to chase it
down. The ISD team was really strong today. They had to work
almost the whole stage - hopefully they have tired legs tomorrow
so that we can go…”
Erler said that he believes that less than ten riders can
now win the 2010 Le Tour de Langkawi. “I think there
are a few contenders - Eibegger from Footon-Servetto is one.
I know him from Austria, he is a good friend of mine and I
think he will be really strong tomorrow.
“There’s Rujano and Pydgomyy from ISD, and then
four guys from my team. I think it depends on the shape of
the day, so it is hard to make a pick, but I think that one
of those seven riders will make the race.”
Erler gives the impression of someone who has enjoyed his
time in yellow. Even if his stay in that jersey comes to an
end tomorrow, it is certain that he will leave Malaysia with
very satisfied thoughts about his time here, and the warm
reception he got from the country’s people.
Genting beckons:
Apart from the battle for the yellow jersey, the mountains
competition will also enter a very important moment tomorrow.
The climb of the Genting Highlands is far steeper than anything
the riders have experienced thus far this year, and the field
is certain to be blitzed on its wall-like slopes.
Current King of the Mountains leader Peter McDonald lost out
on today’s single mountain prime, the Eye on Malaysia
bridge in Melaka. He finishing outside the points and, in
taking first place, Zainal Rizuan closed right up on him.
McDonald ended the day with a total of eleven points; the
Malaysian rider Rizuan is now on ten and could overtake him
tomorrow.
However
Genting Highland is a hors category (extremely difficult)
grade of climb and 25 points will be awarded the winner of
the stage. It’s conceivable that a rider who has not
figured thus far in the competition could win the overall
classification for best climber; as a result, McDonald knows
a tough task is in store.
“Hopefully I can score some points,” he said.
“I don’t know if I can get enough to hold onto
the jersey. Today didn’t quite go to plan…the
radio wasn’t working in the leadout for the KOM, so
we messed that up a bit. It would have been nice to have a
few more points up my sleeve, I would feel more confident,
but now I really have to ride well tomorrow. It is really
just up to me.
“I think I really have to get out of my comfort zone
if I want a result up there in Genting. I will be looking
to go with the moves and to stay with the good guys up the
hill.”
Many other riders will also have the same goal of performing
strongly on its cruel slopes. However, when the climb bites,
only a small few will be still in contention as they near
the top. A complete upheaval of the general classification
is guaranteed, ensuring a very exciting end to the race this
weekend.
-
End
|
