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LTdL: Ayabe sizzles on cool day

Aisan Racing Team’s Takeaki Ayabe celebrates his victory yesterday. — Bernama picture
Aisan Racing Team’s Takeaki Ayabe celebrates his victory yesterday. — Bernama picture
 
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 yesterday. 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 in 3:42:15 seconds.

"Actually I prefer a good result in the mountain competition. However, I am really happy to get a stage win today (yesterday). I was in 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 12:26:17 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 today, Ayabe said he would try his luck again and give maximum performance.

Meanwhile, despite not winning any points in yesterday'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 to finish the climb," said Guardini.

The red jersey once again changed hand and 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 get a better result in Genting Highlands tomorrow," he said. --Bernama

Read more: NST

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