Manuel Peñalver starts the Tour de Langkawi in the top-10

Sixth position for Manuel Peñalver in the opening sprint of the Tour de Langkawi. A really fast finish in which Team Polti Kometa worked together looking for the stage win.

The eight days in Malaysia started with a short initial stage, less than 100 kilometres, in which the breakaway was the protagonist in the initial part but the teams of the fastest riders did not spare in the final part.

Team Polti Kometa organised perfectly to lead Manuel Peñalver into the final 15 kilometres. The team-mates looked to keep the lead of the peloton, with special mention to the work of Andrea Pietrobon and David Martin until the decisive kilometre. Peñalver was able to get out on the wheel of Syritsa (Astana) to launch the sprint, looking to raise his arms, and finishing sixth in a good opening for all the remaining opportunities.

Manuel Peñalver: ‘First day of sprint and a sixth place, a pity because we were close to the podium until the last meters, but it was a long sprint because I had to anticipate and launch it from afar not to be closed against the fences. We are happy because we have the legs to fight for the victory, we have more opportunities ahead of us, we are confident. I want to highlight the team work and the confidence, the victory will come soon’.

Jesús Hernández, sporting director: ‘The team has worked together, committed to Peñalver’s options. We didn’t win, but the attitude was very good. We are happy with the work that has been done. With this way of riding, success will come in the end’.

Tomorrow is the second stage of the Tour de Lankgawi with 154 kilometres of completely flat course between Arau and Butterworth, which will surely be the second sprint finish of the competition.