LTdL: Matthews Dominates Stage Three, Anuar Retains Green, Blue Jerseys
03/03/2010, BERNAMA

MERSING, March 3 (Bernama) -- Michael Matthews from Team Jayco-Skins dominated stage three of the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2010 which ended here on Wednesday.

The Australian-born rider who clocked 3 hours 16 minutes 27 seconds in a mass-finish at Mersing, Johor after the race had been flagged off in Pekan, Pahang, a distance of 145.6 kilometers.

"I was really confident of achieving something today. I tried to stick in front of the others. After winning the first stage two days ago, the burden was less as today I could concentrate on today's stage," he told reporters here.

The 20-year-old Australian said winning a stage also meant that he had added 15 points in sprint competitions (green jersey).

"Although I won in the mass bunch, I'm not the fastest cyclist in this year's LTdL and I will have to get good teamwork and support from my team-mates. It's still a long journey," he added.

Alex Candelario from Kelly Benefit Strategies finished in second place, ahead of ISD-Neri cyclist, Dmytro Grabovskyy who settled for third place.

Tobias Erler from Tabriz Petrochemical Cycling retained his yellow jersey as the individual classification leader with a total time of 11 hours 46 minutes 02 seconds.

Peter McDonald from Drapac Porsche Cycling collected two points today for the red polka-dot jersey as King of the Mountain (KOM) with a total of 10 points after finishing second at the KOM category four at Kampung Baharu, Mersing.

Meanwhile, local sensation Anuar Manan, representing Geumsan Ginseng Asia continued his spectacular form, providing cheers for local cycling fans, by retaining the green jersey (sprint king) and blue jersey as the best Asian rider for three consecutive stages.

Anuar who finished today's race in fourth place, added 28 points to accumulate 56 total points after ruling the first sprint zone at Nenasi in Pahang.

"My strategy was to collect as many points in the third stage to retain the green jersey and it worked. Retaining the blue jersey is a bonus for me," said Anuar.

Anuar added that he has to be wary of today's stage winner, Matthews, as he too harbours hopes of wresting the green jersey since he is only three points behind.

"Right from the start of the third stage, we were competing against each other to collect as many points from the three sprint zones today," he said.

The 24-year-old Terengganu-born rider who harbours hopes of riding with a Pro Tour team one day, said the LTdL was a good platform, to register that intention.

"I want to equip myself with a good resume by accomplishing a good result in the LTdL, although I am currently riding with a Continental team," he said.

Tomorrow, the fourth stage, a distance of 163.5km, will be flagged off from Mersing to Parit Sulong, Muar.

-- BERNAMA

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