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LTdL: Guardini Claims Fourth Stage Win, Reclaims Blue Jersey

SEREMBAN, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- Andrea Guardini, representing Farnese Vini-Neri Sottoli from Italy, dominated stage seven of the 2011 Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) which ended in Tampin, near here today.

The young Italian star also reclaimed the blue jersey for the sprint competition, ending today's stage in three hours, 24 minutes 57 seconds in the competition route covering a distance of 149.5km from Banting to Tampin.

Finishing in another massed bunch in today's race, Guardini displayed his remarkable sprinting skills in the final 300 metres to cross the finishing line first.

"It was a different sprint from previous days. Not many people expected such finishing.

"Looking at the road book (race manual), it was a false flat uphill, but in reality, the last two kilometre was downhill. But I handled the situation, I took the corner in fifth position and that was the ideal position and I did 300 metres finishing flat out," said the 21-year-old rider.

On the challenge for the blue jersey, Guardini noted that the competition had not ended although he was currently leading the sprint competition comfortablely.

"In today's race, I decided not to race for the hotspot anymore and keep my strength for the finish. Thanks to the breakaways.

"Anuar (Manan) could not take more points on the way and now, I have comfortable lead but the competition for the blue jersey is not over yet," he added.

In the points competition, Guardini took the lead with 84 points, while Malaysia's Anuar Manan of Terengganu Pro Asia Cycling Team is in second position with 70 points.

In third position was Russia's Boris Shpilevsky of Tabriz Petrochemical Team with 49 points.

There was no changes in the yellow, red and white jersey.

Colombian rider, Libardo Nino Corredor of Le Tua Cycling Team, retained the yellow jersey which he won at Genting Highlands for the third consecutive time.

"This stage has been little bit difficult for me because my team is not very strong, however it went without problems, the circumstances of the race have helped me because other teams have worked strongly and there were riders away to catch the bonuses," he said.

Venezuela's Jonnatha Monsalve of Andrioni Giocattoli and Iran's Rahim Emami of Azad University Cycling Team retained the red jersey and white jersey, respectively.

The riders of Azad University Cycling Team currently topped the team general classification and Asian team overall competition after accumulating 65'03:21s after seven stages.

The stage 8 of the 2011 LTdL tomorrow covers another 156.5km from Kuala Pilah to Jasin.

-- BERNAMA

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