TSG’s title aspirations in tatters

Cycling Team's (TSG) hopes of defending the overall yellow jersey at the Tour de Flores suffered a major blow after their Australian rider Drew Morey crashed in the second stage in Indonesia yesterday.

Morey, who won the opening stage from Larantuka to Maumere on Friday, crashed 50 kilometres into the 142.8km second stage from Maumere to Ende as he was descending.

The 19-year-old finished the day at 24th place, nine minutes and 37 seconds behind stage winner Imam Arifin (KFC Cycling Team) of Indonesia who won in 4:02:18s.

Australian Nick Miller (Futuro) and Felipe Marcelo (7Eleven Roadbike Philippines) came in second and third respectively.

As a result, Morey lost the yellow jersey and is now in eighth place on the General Classification (GC), 8:49s behind Miller who has now taken the lead.

TSG manager Saiful Anuar Aziz said it will be hard to mount a charge on the GC in the remaining four stages due to the vast time gap following the crash.

TSG won the overall yellow jersey at the inaugural Tour de Flores last year through New Zealand rider Daniel Whitehouse.

"Drew did not make contact with other riders, he just lost control of his bike on the descent," said Saiful.

"He suffered some cuts and felt a bit uncomfortable but it was nothing serious.

"It is hard for us to challenge for the GC now due to the time gap, so our focus will just be on winning stages."

TSG's South Korean rider Gong Hyo-Suk is their second highest ranked rider on the GC at 24th (+15:33s). Team Sapura Cycling's Muhsin Al Redha Misbah is 16th (11:56s).

The third stage today from Ende to Bajawa will see riders covering 123.3km.