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Aisan's Ayabe Conquers Cameron Highlands To Claim Fourth Stage, Yellow Jersey

CAMERON HIGHLANDS, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- Aisan Racing Team's Takeaki Ayabe stormed away from the leading pack in the last 500m to cross the finishing line at Tanah Rata and claim the fourth stage of the Le Tour de Langkawi here Wednesday.

The cool and rainy weather which resulted in a slippery surface saw riders adopt a cautious approach but the Japanese ace seized an opportunity to sprint away in the final stretch to claim victory and the Yellow jersey.

He completed the 137.6km from Ayer Tawar to Cameron Highlands course in 3 hours, 42 minutes and 15 seconds.

"Actually I prefer a good result in the mountain competition. However, I am really happy to get a stage win today. I was at 10th position (after the last KOM competition).

"But when we entered the downhill route the road was slippery and dangerous. I got some distance from the front riders but managed to chase them. I am really happy that I could do a good sprint and went ahead of seven other riders," he said.

Besides winning the stage, Ayabe also snatched the Yellow jersey from Andrea Guardini of Farnese Vini-NeriSottoli after accumulating 12 hours, 26 minutes and 17 seconds.

Ayabe also snatched the White jersey from Terengganu Pro Asia Cycling rider Anuar Manan as the new leader in the Asian riders competition.

On the next climb from Tapah to Genting Highlands Thursday, Ayabe said he would try his luck again and try to give a maximum performance.


Meanwhile, despite not winning any points in Wednesday's stage, Guardini retained the Blue jersey with 51 points.

"Today, is a climbing stage and I can't manage to get over it. Tomorrow will be harder and because of the short stage, I hope can manage to finish the climb," said Guardini.

The Red jersey once again changed hand and this time went to Iran's Rahim Emami of Azad University Cycling Team after accumulating 25 points.

"Today we tried to finish in the first bunch with a few of my teammates.

After the peloton came together in the downhill, the road was very slippery. I hope we can make a better result in Genting Highlands tomorrow," he said.

Following closely was Holland's Albert Timmer of Skil Shimano Cycling Team with 21 points and Venezuela's Jonnatha Monsalve of the Androni Giocattoli with 20 points.

Thursday's stage 5 from Tapah to Genting Highlands would comprise three sprint zones, at Sungkai, Slim River and Tanjung Malim before entering the gruelling climb of the highest summit in the competition, Genting Highlands, which stands at 1,679.4km above sea level.

-- BERNAMA

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