The first stage of Le Tour de Langkawi saw a surprise breakaway make it to the finish line ahead of the chasing pack. Duber Quinteiro (Colombia) got the better of his breakaway companions, Matthew Brammeier (Synergy Baku) and Jonathan Clarke (United Healthcare) respectively, to take the first win of his professional career.
The relatively short 101km stage was always going to be a high paced race and this saw attacks going from the gun. A break of 5 riders went clear after just 2km of racing. Quinteiro, Brammeier, Clarke, Choon Goh (OCBC Singapore) and Anuar Aziz (Terengganu) were the riders that formed the early break. Aziz would later be dropped from the leading group leaving the four riders out front.
In a race where teams only comprise of 6 riders each, organising a chase has often proved difficult for the peloton. This was the case today and the breakaway were able to capitalise on the lack of organisation by the chasing peloton.
Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung had a rather uneventful day with Youcef Reguigui being our highest placed finisher in 18th place. The teams’ general classifications are still intact though as all our riders finished safely in the main bunch.
Tomorrow stage 2 will see the riders take on a 132km stage from Sg. Petani to Taiping. Although there is a slight bump in the profile with 10km to go, a bunch sprint is still expected.
Le Tour de Langkawi (Malaysia) – (February 27 – March 8/UCI 2.HC)
Louis Meintjes (RSA)
Tsgabu Grmay (ETH)
Merhawi Kudus (ERI)
Jacques Janse van Rensburg (RSA)
John-Lee Augustyn (RSA)
Youcef Reguigui (ALG)
Staff: Kevin Campbell (Sports Director), Dr Jarrad van Zuydam (Doctor), Hagen Bernutz (Soigneur), Yvonne Houwelling (Soigneur) and Heiko Heinrici (Mechanic)
