Peñalver fourth in the sprint while breakaway wins in Langkawi
The breakaway managed to reach the finish line of the sixth stage of the Tour de Langkawi. In the main group, Team Polti Kometa again looked for its chance to be second in the mass sprint with Manuel Peñalver, fourth overall. The same fourth position is held by Fernando Tercero in the general classification with two stages to go.
In the final stretch of the Tour de Langkawi, Team Polti Kometa continues to accumulate places of honour. The peloton failed to neutralise the breakaway in a very fast finish where Tarozzi (Bardiani) raised his arms. But the team collaborated in the chase and Manuel Peñalver responded to this work by managing to be second in the main group only behind De Kleijn (Tudor), fourth in the stage.
There are only two days left and, although every day the postometer causes changes in the general classification, Fernando Tercero maintains his fourth place, 20 seconds behind the leader of the race. A goal to maintain and the option of climbing the podium, which will be fought for until the end.
Manuel Peñalver: ‘It’s a pity, because despite the good work the breakaway has been able to arrive and a second place has become fourth today. But we maintain our regularity, our presence in the race, always at the front, and it gives us confidence that these energies will allow us to achieve victory in the remaining stages, where the fatigue will surely be more noticeable as the days go by’.
Jesús Hernández, sports director: ‘We can’t be happy because in the end the breakaway has arrived. It was very difficult to catch them in the final part, but we still have a leading role and presence in the sprint finishes, so we are going to face the remaining days with that attitude’.
A long transfer for the riders today as they change islands to face tomorrow’s longest and straightest stage, with almost 200 kilometres along the coast from Miri to Bintulu. An essentially flat profile, but with a climb 40 kilometres from the finish, these are the ingredients of the penultimate stage of the Tour de Langkawi, which is nearing its end.
