KUALA LUMPUR – Overcoming a heavy tropical Malaysian downpour, Astana Qazaqstan Team sprinter Gleb Syritsa secured his first stage win in an international tour at the 2022 Le Tour de Langkawi’s (LTdL) opening stage today.
The race, which flagged off from Seri Menanti in Kuala Pilah, ended at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) here.
The 22-year-old Russian was victorious under the rain that started to gradually pour from Seremban towards the finishing line in front of the Petronas Twin Tower.
In the ProSeries event, Syritsa claimed his win in the 157.3km-Stage 1 in 3h 43m 33s in the individual general classification category.
Despite the challenging route that covered five King of Mountains (KoM) and two sprints, he and other riders stormed through to the finish line under the dark clouds nevertheless.
“This win would be my first stage win (international tour),” he said after the race.
“The route was pretty difficult, especially the last climb at Ampang’s Look Out Point, but I just want to get it done and over with.”
Erlend Blikra of Uno-X Pro Cycling Team came in behind Syritsa to take the second spot.
Meanwhile, Terengganu Polygon Cycling Team’s climber Jambaljamts Sainbayar came in third to finish the podium.
The Mongolian also came out on top in the KoM, amassing 15 points, followed by teammate Muhammad Nur Aiman Mohd Zariff and Thailand Continental Cycling Team’s Peerapol Chawchiangkwang.
Sainbayar’s victory also earned him the award of Best Asian Rider.
In the sprinter’s classification, Syritsa took the lead ahead of Blikra and Movistar Team’s Max Kanter.
Stage 2 will commence tomorrow on the 178.9km-route from Kuala Klawang to Raub. – The Vibes, October 11, 2022
