KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Pro Cycling (MPC) received a timely boost ahead of Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) after securing an unexpected stage win at Tour de Entete in Indonesia today (Sept 14).
MPC’s Ariff Danial Noor Roseidi won the fourth stage of the tour which started in Tanarara and ended in Waingapu (65.3km).
Ariff was part of a five-man breakaway group that remained intact until the finish. The 24-year-old outkicked the group to take the win in one hour, 35 minutes and 12 seconds.
Tynan Shannon (Cycling Development Foundation) and John Pagtalunan (7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines) came in second and third in the sprint finish.
MPC team principal Sayuti Zahit said he was pleasantly surprised by Ariff’s performance.
“To be honest, I did not expect this from Ariff,” said Sayuti.
“We have only just started to expose Ariff to international races so he has limited experience at this level.
“He proved that he is an all-rounder. He was able to follow the breakaway and outsprint the other riders at the end.
“We are hoping to see more positive performances from him in the remaining stages.”
MPC have also fielded climber Syawal Mazlin, sprinter Ahmad Syazrin Awang Ilah as well as Faheem Razen Zaini and Zulfikri Zulkifli in the 10-stage Tour de Entete.
MPC will be one of three Malaysian teams carrying Malaysian hopes in LTdL later this month (Sept 28-Oct 5).
The other two are the national development team as well as fellow UCI continental squad Terengganu Cycling Team.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
