Bernama file photo for illustration purposes.
KOTA KINABALU: Winning the 2020 Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) curtain-raiser, Kota Kinabalu Criterium Race, here yesterday, has lifted the spirits for German rider, Maximilian Richard Walscheid to chase for more glory at the Asian premier cycling race.
The 26-year-old who rode for world team (Jelajah Dunia), NTT Pro Cycling Team, crossed the finishing line first during the nine loops race around Kota Kinabalu city. Malaysian rider, Mohd Harrif Saleh of Terengganu Inc.
TSG Cycling Team and Australian rider, Blake Quick of St George Continental Cycling Team, came in second and third place, respectively.
Chief judge declared the top 10 finishers clocked the same time of 1 hour 42 minutes and 01 seconds after crossing the finishing line in a bunch.
“I think it’s a great feeling to start the season with a victory, and all of us have worked really hard as a team and I’m proud of that.
“The pressure is certainly mounting on us ahead of the opening stage, but we were in good shape and we hope to continue the success for tomorrow’s (today) race,” according to the lanky German after today’s race. Richard said that yesterday’s victory did not come easy as he was given a stiff competition, especially by sprinters from other pro teams as yesterday’s race featured a lot of flat terrains.
The opening stage of 2020 LTdL today involves a distance of 96.2 kilometres around Kuching city, featuring three sprint zones – Sejingkat, Kuching Isthmus and third passage.
The annual cycling race made a return to the Borneo after a 23-years absence. — Bernama