Zawawi springs a surprise
IT was a proud moment for National Sports Council (NSC)-Mycron as Muhammad Zawawi Azman romped to a stunning, unexpected victory in the fourth stage of Jelajah Malaysia from Machang to Gong Badak yesterday.
Zawawi successfully broke away in a small group after the first intermediate sprint at Jerteh, won by his teammate Sofian Nabil Omar Bakri, after only 32 km into the 125.2km stage and never looked back.
The 22-year-old pushed a hard pace, averaging a punishing 47kmh, until the finish where he outsprinted Mark John Lexer Galedo (7Eleven SAVA RB Philippines) to victory in two hours, 38 minutes and 27 seconds.
It was both Azwan and NSC-Mycron’s first stage win in a UCI 2.2 tour. Irwandi Lakasek had on Thursday delivered the team’s first podium after coming in third in the third stage from Gua Musang to Pasir Puteh.
Nik Mohd Azwan Zulkiflie (national team), the third rider in the breakwaway group, completed the podium, seven seconds adrift of the duo.
Azwan won the second intermediate sprint at Rhu while Mark took the points at Mengabang Lekor.
Azwan’s performance saw him replacing Nur Amirul Fakhruddin Marzuki of Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) at the top of the Malaysian riders’ classification (red jersey).
Zawawi said he has waited a long time to make his breakthrough in a race of this level.
“The plan was to actually finish in a bunch sprint and set-up Irwandie for another podium,” said Zawawi, who like most in the NSC-Mycron team, is primarily a track endurance rider.
“But I attacked three or four times in the early part of the stage and managed to actually get away after that first intermediate sprint.
“I went full gas from there and am grateful that I could maintain my pace until the end.” celebrates after winning the fourth stage of the Jelajah Malaysia yesterday.
There were no surprises in the general classification as Pishgaman Giant Team’s Arvin Moazami Godarzi maintained his advantage after finishing in the same group as Harrif.
Arvin made it clear he is confident of taking the overall win.
“We saw them (breakaway group) go but we were not worried as we have a solid time advantage in the GC,” said the Iranian, who leads the yellow jersey competition on a total time of 14:39:15s.
“The goal tomorrow (today) will be to stay in the front and maintain our time. It is not a mountain stage so we do expect a podium finish.”
Pishgaman teammate Amir Kolahdouzhagh has already wrapped up the mountains classification with an unassailable 50 points.
A flat final stage from Kemaman to Kuala Terengganu today will see riders covering 142.7km.
RESULTS — Stage 3 (Gua Musang to Pasir Puteh 169.1km):
General classification (yellow jersey):
Best young rider (white jersey):
Best Malaysian rider (red jersey):
Points classification (blue jersey):
Mountains classification (polka dot jersey):
By Fadhli Ishak