LTdL : Anuar Is 2010 LTdL Sprint King, Rujano Individual Champ
07/03/2010, BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 (Bernama) -- National sensational cyclist, Anuar Manan, continued to create sports history when he won the green jersey (Sprint King) in the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2010 cycling race after its final stage ended at Dataran Merdeka here Sunday.

The win made the Kuala Ibai, Kuala Terengganu born lad the first Malaysian and Asian to win the jersey since the race began in 1996.

Anuar, representing South Korean team Geumsan Ginseng Asia, garnered 12 points in the seventh stage after being placed fourth and had 103 points overall leaving closest contender Michael Matthews of team Jayco Skins with 82 points.

"Besides wanting to be Sprint King, my strategy was to win the seventh stage but I could not as there were many disruptions in the early stage of the race.

"I also had to observe Matthews' movements so that he did not collect more points," he said when met by reporters after the race ended at Dataran Merdeka which was watched by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

The 24-year cyclist said his success in getting the green jersey was not because of his individual ability but due to the support of his team mates.

"Besides Malaysian cyclists from the national team and Marco Polo also played a role to help me get the jersey after it has taken by Matthews at the fifth stage (Muar-Parit Sulong)," he said.

Anuar said he needed more races, especially in Europe, to compete with sprint racers of Pro Tour status.

"For a start Geumsan Ginseng Asia team and I will train and participate in races in France for three months," he said.

The green jersey win met Anuar's target besides winning one stage in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan which was the fifth stage.

Meanwhile team ISD-Neri cyclist, Jose Rujano Guillen, retained the yellow jersey after getting it at the sixth stage (Putrajaya-Genting Highlands) to be overall individual champion.

The Venezuelan had an overall time of 24 hours 7 minutes and 58 seconds over his closest competitor Gong Hyo Suk of Seoul Cycling Team and was faster by two minutes and seven seconds.

"I am very happy to win this jersey and this victory is very important for my new team. It also a great boost for my confidence," he said.

He said after a two-week rest his team will continue to race in Italy before facing the real challenges in May.

"This year's LTdL is also tough although only one Pro Tour team participated (Footon Sevetto) because Asian riders had improved a lot to compete with other riders," he said.

Rujano however failed to retain the Polka dot jersey (King of Mountain) when his closest challenger, Peter McDonald of team Drapac Porsche, collected four more points to have 29 points overall.

Hyo Suk however remained the best Asian rider (blue jersey) by a time of 24 hours 10 minutes 5 seconds after winning the jersey at Genting Highlands, Pahang in the sixth stage yesterday.

Iranian team, Tabriz Petrochemical Cycling, was the best team from 20 teams besides dominating the Asian team category.

The seventh stage that began in Kuala Kubu Bharu and ended in Dataran Merdeka here with riders doing six rounds, an overall distance of 133.7km, was won by Stuart Shaw of team Drapac Porsche.

The 15th edition of LTdL was organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in collaboration with the Malaysian National Cycling Federation and offered prize money of about RM715,000.

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