TOUGH FOR TSG AGAIN

Terengganu team falter in Tour de Flores as Iranian Godarzi flourishes

TERENGGANU Cycling Team (TSG) endured another tough day at the Tour de Flores in Indonesia as Iranian climber Arvin Moazami Godarzi romped to an impressive win in the 83.3km stage from Ende to Mbay yesterday.

TSG’s South Korean rider Gong Hyo-Suk was the team’s highest placed rider for the stage coming in 12th, three minutes and 53 seconds behind Arvin.

The Pishgaman Cycling Team rider, who won the Jelajah Malaysia last year, took the win in 2:05:57s.

Daniel Whitehouse (CCN Cycling Team), winner of last year’s overall title in Flores while riding for TSG, came in second, 53 seconds adrift while Spaniard Edgar Nohales Nieto (+1:21s) of 7Eleven Roadbikes Philippines was third.

Muhsin Al Redha Misbah (Team Sapura Cycling) came in 18th (4:28s) while TSG’s Drew Morey (Australia), who won the opening stage but suffered a crash on the second day, settled for 51st (8:07s).

Kiwi Nick Miller (Futuro Pro Cycling) remains in the lead in the General Classification with a 58 second advantage over second placed Imam Arifin (KFC Cycling Team) of Indonesia.

TSG manager Mohd Saiful Anuar Aziz said his charges found it hard to keep pace with the frontrunners in the short and hilly stage.

“I think we were a bit unlucky today. The breakaway group formed from 20km and held till the finish but we were unable to get a rider in there,” said Saiful.

“It has been a tough tour so far with every stage featuring a number of climbs. We still have a few more days to go and will try to make an impact.”

The fourth stage today is also relatively short covering 80.6km from Bajawa to Borong.