Saturday February 23, 2013
Dutchman Bos continues winning ways in Second Stage
By SHAMSHUL FITRI
KUALA KANGSAR: Dutchman Theo Bos continued to dominate the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL), powering his way to win the Second Stage yesterday.
Bos, who won the 162.7km First Stage from Kangar to Kulim on Thursday, completed the 117.8km race from Serdang in Kedah to Kuala Kangsar in 2’54:45. Italian Andrea Guardini of Astana finished second while Lithuanian Aidis Kruopis of Orica GreenEdge was third. All three clocked the same time in another bunched sprint finish.
The win means Bos will wear the overall leader’s yellow jersey for another day.
“I’m just happy to win here. As a sprinter, it is important to win a lot throughout the season,” said Bos.
Team Blanco once again delivered Bos to the front to set up a bunched sprint, but his lead-out man Graeme Brown delivered Bos slightly earlier than what he expected.
“Brown led me out to the front and when he pulled out I saw the 300m marker. That was when I knew it was too early and I thought I was in trouble. I started to sprint and managed to drop the guy behind my wheels. Then, I saw Guardini’s shoes beside me. I just put everything in it,” said Bos.
The stage was animated in the opening 2km as Anuar Manan of Synergy Baku, Mohd Shahrul Mat Amin of Terengganu Cycling, Goh Choon Huat of OCBC Singapore, Li Fuyu of Henxiang Cycling and Seo Joon-yong of KSPO broke clear from the peloton.
Anuar won two intermediate sprints in his bid to challenge for the points competitions, but his breakaway companion Fuyu spoiled the party for him before the third intermediate sprint.
“Fuyu started to attack the group and we had to respond. It was not beneficial for us because it disrupted our momentum. He did that because his team-mate (Wang Meiyin) is leading the Asian classification. If I had won another intermediate sprint, I could go on top,” said Anuar.
Mohd Harrif Salleh was Malaysia’s best performer, finishing in 13th spot. The Terengganu Cycling rider was just behind Bos in the last kilometre when he suffered cramps and dropped down the pecking order.
Today, the riders will tackle the 140.7km Third Stage from Sungai Siput to Cameron Highlands.
Stage 2 results:
Serdang to Kuala Kangsar (117.8km): 1. Theo Bos (Ned) Blanco 2’54:48, 2. Andrea Guardini (Ita) Astana, 3. Aidis Kruopis (Ltu) Orica GreenEdge, 4. Bryan Coquard (Fra) Europcar, 5. Andrew Fenn (Bri) Omega Pharma-QuickStep, 6. Francessco Chicchi (Ita) Vini Fantini, 7. Steele Von Hoff (Aus) Garmin-Sharp, 8. Hossein Nateghi (Iri) Tabriz Petrochemical, 9. Fabian Schnaidt (Ger) Champion System, 10. Omar Bertazzo (Ita) Androni Venezuela all same time.
Leading overall standings: 1. Theo Bos (Ned) Blanco 6’54:45, 2. Andrea Guardini (Ita) Astana 10 seconds behind, 3. Wang Meiyin (Chn) Hengxiang Cycling 11, 4. Bryan Coquard (Fra) Europcar 14, 5. Anuar Manan (Mas) Synergy Baku same time.
Points competition (blue jersey): 1. Theo Bos (Ned) Blanco 30 pts, 2. Andrea Guardini (Ita) Astana 27, 3. Bryan Coquard (Fra) Europcar 26, 4. Steele Von Hoff (Aus) Garmin-Sharp 21, 5. Anuar Manan (Mas) Synergy Baku 19.
King of the Mountain (red jersey): 1. Seo Joon-yeong (Kor) KSPO 10, 2. Li Fuyu (Chn) Hengxiang Cycling 7, 3. Anuar Manan (Mas) Synergy Baku 6.
Best Asian rider (white jersey): 1. Wang Meiyin (Chn) Henxiang Cycling 6’54:56, 2. Anuar Manan (Mas) Synergy Baku 3 seconds behind, 3. Seo Joon-yeong (Kor) KSPO 5.