Steep challenge for Malaysian riders

third stage of the Tour of Thailand proved to be challenging for Malaysian teams yesterday.

The 128.3km stage started at Sukhothai Historical Park and finished with a brutal summit finish (category one) at Baan Rak Thai, featuring a steep gradient that forced some riders off their bikes.

Thailand Continental Cycling Team's Peerapol Chawchiangkwang took the stage win in three hours, 11 minutes and 12 seconds.

Roojai Insurance's Adne Van Engelen (+2s) and Thanakhan Chaiyasombat (+11s), who is Peerapol's teammate, crossed the line second and third.

Terengganu Cycling Team's (TSG) Anatoliy Budiak finished fifth (+17s). He was the highest-placed finisher from a Malaysian team.

National team rider Tsen Ren Bao (+1:14s) was the best-placed Malaysian rider at No. 10.

Malaysia Pro Cycling’s (MPC) Zulfikri Zulkifli and Syawal Mazlin were 29th (+4:02s) and 31st (+4:04s), respectively.

National team rider Muhsin Al Redha Misbah (+4:02s) was sandwiched between them.

MPC team principal Sayuti Zahit admitted that his team were caught off guard by the steep climb at the end.

“The climb was steeper than we anticipated. If you watched it live (television), the gradient went as high as 30 to 35 per cent, and some riders were forced to get off their bikes and push them,” said Sayuti yesterday.

“The gradient was not stated in the race manual. If we knew, we would have set up the bikes differently.

“Nonetheless, it was a good chance to test our climbers, including Syawal.

“We have to give credit to Melbourne-based Ren Bao. I think he proved that he is one of the best Malaysian climbers.

The fourth stage from Phitsanulok to Phetchabun today will also feature a brace of category one and two climbs midway through the 155.9km stage.

Peerapol currently leads the general classification with a marginal six-second lead over Van Engelen. Thanakhan is third (+17s).