KUALA TERENGGANU: Andrea Guardini of Farnese Vini- Selle Italia dominated stage nine of the 2012 Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) which ended here yesterday.
The 22-year-old Italian sprinter also reclaimed the blue jersey for the sprint competition, ending today’s stage in three hours, 27 minutes and six seconds in the competition route covering a distance of 165.7km from Kemasik to Kuala Terengganu.
Finishing in another bunch sprint in today’s rain-soaked race, Guardini powered himself to cross the finish line first.
The victory created another history for LTdL after Guardini claimed his 10th stage win.
“Winning the 10th stage win is very special to me. It is a very significant race for me. I started my professional debut here (last year). I thank my team for the perfect lead out for the stage win today,” said Guardini.
On the challenge for the blue jersey, the competition has not ended for Guardini although he is currently leading the sprint competition with 79 points.
Astana Pro Team’s Valentin Iglinskiy of Kazakhstan has also accumulated an identical number of points.Guardini was awarded the blue jersey after winning stage nine yesterday and there are no changes in the yellow, red and white jersies.
Colombian rider Jose Serpa of Androni Giocattoli retained the yellow and red jersies which he won at Stage 5 in Pandan Indah for the fifth consecutive time. — Bernama
“We still have to wait until tomorrow to see whether we can win the yellow jersey. We don’t know what will happen but we hope that we have a better opportunity,” said the 32-year-old rider. — Bernama
Kazakhstan’s Alexandre Dyachenko of Astana Pro Team retained the white jersey after accumulating 30:21:03s.
He said yesterday’s competition was tough because it was raining throughout the race and he just tried to help his teammate, Valentin Iglinskiy, to do a break away.
“This stage is meant for sprinting and that is why it is very difficult to take the yellow jersey. Tomorrow’s stage is also very easy for sprinting because it is short and flat. That is why I will help the team sprinter (Valentin),” said Dyachenko.
The final stage of the 2011 LTdL today covers a distance of 114.8km from Tasik Kenyir to Kuala Terengganu. — Bernama