Adiq Husainie wins stage two to break eight-year jinx

TAIPING: Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) rider Muhamad Adiq Husainie Othman who had failed in eight previous Jelajah Malaysia (JM2017) editions to win a stage finally broke the jinx by winning Stage Two from Lumut to Kuala Kurau yesterday.

The 26-year-old Terengganu-born rider clocked three hours 17 minutes 12 seconds to win the 145.3km race to beat Ariya Phounsavath from Thailand Continental Cycling and Muhammad Fauzan Ahamd Lutfi from Police who had staged a breakaway from a group of 15 riders about 2km from the finish line.

“In the past JM editions, I have only managed to finish among the top 10, but this time around I have managed to win a stage early. The last time I won a stage was during the Tour of Brunei in 2011 but after that only managed second or third placing.

“Today was different because I proved that I still had the power and experience to win and not over the hill,” he said after the race.

Meanwhile, Ryan Thomas from Team Oliver’s Real Food Racing, Australia, wrested the Yellow Jersey (overall classification) from Abdul Gani from KFC Cycling Team Indonesia, and also held on to the Grey Jersey as the Best Young Rider after finishing in 8th place with a time of 3’17:15s.

Thomas who moved to the top of the leader board with 7’09:55s in only his first JM appearance, said he would work hard to retain both jersey although it won’t be easy.