Retired Italian road cyclist’s son captures second stage win

KOTA BHARU: Young Italian rider Riccardo Minali climbed his way to the second stage victory in the 2018 Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) cycling race from Gerik to Kota Bharu yesterday.

The 22-year-old, who is the son of retired Italy road racer, Nicoli, displayed his prowess by conquering the hilly terrain of Titiwangsa, which is 1,050m above the sea level, before fending off the strong challenge from few other riders into the finishing line to win today's race, stretching a distance of 208.3km.

To add icing on the cake, he wrested the Yellow Jersey as overall leader and also the Green Jersey as King of Sprint from fellow Italian, Andrea Guardini of Bardiani-CSF, who won the opening stage from Kangar to Kulim on Monday.

Minali collected 19 points at three sprint zones – Batu Melintang, Bukit Bunga and Rantau Panjang.

Chief Judge Ibrahim Omar, however, declared that the top 10 finishers including Minali clocked the same time of five hours 18 minutes and 20 seconds after crossing the line in a bunch finish.

Two other Italian riders – Matteo Malucelli of Androni Giacattoli-Sidermec and Paolo Simion of Bardiani-CSF – came in second and third place, respectively.

South Korean rider, Seo Joonyong of KSPO Bianchi Asia Procycling Team, retained the White Jersey as the best Asian rider, while Colombian rider Bernardo Suaza Arango of Manzana Postobon wrested the Red Polka Dot Jersey as King of the Mountain from China's rider, Wang Bo of Hengxiang Cycling Team.

Speaking at a press conference later, Riccardo said today's race was very tough considering he had to face the blazing heat, reaching up to 37 degree Celsius besides facing the hilly terrain in Titiwangsa.

“Today's race was really hard because the weather was very hot and the distance in the first climbing zone (in Gerik) was very long, but my teammates helped me a lot and I'm very happy for this victory,” he said.

The third stage of the 2018 LTdL tomorrow involves a distance of 166km from Kota Bharu to Kuala Terengganu with three sprint zones in Jelawat, Kuala Besut and Pantai Penarik. - Bernama