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Ayabe sprints away from main bunch to win the fourth stage

CAMERON HIGHLANDS: As expected, the real gear-grinders came to the fore in Stage Four of the Tour of Langkawi from Ayer Tawar to Cameron Highlands yesterday.
Japan’s Takeaki Ayabe of Aisan Racing broke free from the eight-man lead group in Brinchang to win the stage.

Colombian Libardo Nino Corredor of Le Tua finished in second – just a wheel-length behind. Iranian Amir Zargari of Azad University came in third.

The three climbing zones, with a Hors Category climb just eight kilometres before the finish line, did much damage to the main bunch as riders with climbing legs really showed their prowess in the stage.
The eight-man lead group was primed for a mass finish but it was Ayabe who pipped Corredor to the finish line.

“I wasn’t looking to take the stage today as I was actually eyeing the Hors Category climb,” said Ayabe.
“I missed the Hors climb because some riders veered off the route and caused a pile-up. But I managed to catch up with the lead group.

“The road was very slippery but when I was just a few hundred metres from the finish line, all I could think of was coming in first ... so I took a risk and sprinted home.”
Rahim Emami of Azad University is the new holder of the red jersey (King of the Mountain) after winning the Hors Category climb, which offers 25 points – taking over from Koen De Kort of Skil Shimano.

There was no change in the points classification (blue jersey) standings as holder Guardini and Anuar Manan of Terengganu Cycling, sharing the lead on 51 points, just sat back in the main bunch to conserve energy throughout the three intermediate zones.

Despite holding the yellow jersey for now, the Japanese will not be able to rest on his laurels yet as another big stage awaits him when the Tour swings by Genting Highlands today.

Genting Highlands will have only one climb with a Hors Category status but the steep gradient is sure to take its toll on the riders, especially with the race finishing at the top of the hill.




Results

Stage 4 (Ayar Tawar-Cameron Highlands 137.6km)
Top 10 finishers: 1. Takeaki Ayabe (Jpn) Aisan Racing 3’42:15, 2. Libardo Nino Corredor (Col) Le Tua, 3. Amir Zargari (Iri) Azad University, 4. Thomas Bonnin (Fra) Skil Shimano, 5. Christopher Jones (US) Unitedhealthcare,
6. Jonnatha Monsalve (Ven) Androni Giacottoli, 7. Alex Howes (US) Chipotle Development, 8. Hossein Askari (Iri) Tabriz Petrochemical all same time, 9. Emanuelle Sella (Ita) Androni Giacottoli 2secs behind, 10. Jacob Rathe (US) Chipotle Development 5secs.


Individual general classification (yellow jersey): 1. Takeaki Ayabe (Jpn) Aisan Racing 12’26:17, 2. Libardo Nino Corredor (Col) Le Tua 4secs behind, 3. Amir Zargari (Iri) Azad University 6, 4. Hossein Askari (Iri) Tabriz Petrochemical 9, 5. Thomas Bonnin (Fra) Skil Shimano 10.

Points classification (blue jersey): 1. Andrea Guardini (Ita) Fernese Vini-Neri Sottoli 51pts, 2. Anuar Manan (Mas) Terengganu Cycling 51, 3. Christoff van Heerden (Rsa) MTN Qhubeka 34, 4. Boris Shpilevsky (Rus) Tabriz Petrochemical 30, 5. Marcel Kittel (Ger) Skil Shimano 26.


King of the Mountain (red jersey): 1. Rahim Emami (Iri) Azad University 25pts, 2. Albert Timmer (Ned) Skil Shimano 21, 3. Jonnatha Monsalve (Ven) Androni Giacottoli 20, 4. Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) Androni Giacottoli Colnago CSF-Inox 20, 5. Mehdi Sohrabi (Iri) Tabriz Petrochemical 16.


Best Asian rider (white jersey): 1. Takeaki Ayabe (Jpn) Aisan Racing 12’26:17, 2. Amir Zargari (Iri) Azad University 6secs behind, 3. Hossein Askari (Iri) Tabriz Petrochemical 9, 4. Gong Hyo-suk (Kor) 17, 5. Gang Xu (Chn) Max Success Cycling same time.

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