THE shortest but most decisive and traditionally the most anticipated stage of LTdL starts in front of the Youth and Sports Ministry building in Persiaran Perdana, Putrajaya.

An aggressive rhythm is expected right from the start where those contesting the points classification are expected to take the early intiative and attack towards the first intermediate sprint in Kajang (12.6km) and the mountains classification battle begins with a tender category 4 climb in Menara Tinjau, Bukit Indah (36.5km), before the second intermediate sprint comes in Ampang (45.8km).

It is expected that small breakaway attempts will begin as the peloton heads into Gombak dan the old road heading towards Bentong where the uphill battle towards supremacy in LTdL begins.

The peloton is expected to be taken over by the climbers teams with domestiques working the pace at the front as they road gets more and more vertical, while the main contenders will be biding their time awaiting the moment when they make their decisive moves.

Small groups that had made the escapes prior to this are expected to be caught and the huge peloton is expected to trickle down to the remaining pure climbers who will decide the overall victor of the LTdL 2010.

The overall winner and King of the Mountains of LTdL 2010 are expected to be decided in this stage.