Sports & Fitness

LTdL 2022: Aiman holds red jersey as temps drop at Genting Highlands

Movistar Team’s Ivan Sosa sprints to victory for coveted yellow

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 13 Oct 2022 7:28PM

LTdL 2022: Aiman holds red jersey as temps drop at Genting Highlands — Nur Aiman Zariff presses upwards through light rain and low visibility towards the peak of the mountain during the queen stage of the 2022 Le Tour de Langkawi. – Pic courtesy of 2022 Le Tour de Langkawi, October 13, 2022

by Julie Jalaluddin

GENTING HIGHLANDS – Malaysian rider Nur Aiman Zariff defended his red jersey in the best climbers’ classification – King of Mountains (KoM) – at the 2022 Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) Stage 3 today, which started from Putrajaya to end in Genting Highlands.

As the temperature dropped to the lowest at 16°C, accompanied by light rain and low visibility, towards the peak of the mountain, Aiman was determined to continue the climb during the queen stage of LTdL.

“I am absolutely thrilled. I have been planning to conquer the KoM from the start of today’s stage so I could earn more points, because there will be no KoM category tomorrow (Stage 4).

“My next mission would be to win Stage 5 (from Kuala Kangsar to Kulim) on Friday,” said the 25-year-old.

“I hope this year I will get to win the overall best climbers’ classification again, but I would have to admit that this year’s edition is a lot tougher because we have more contenders.”

Aiman had previously earned the red jersey in the 2020 edition, making him the only Malaysian to do so.

Representing the Terengganu Polygon Cycling Team, the Terengganu-born had successfully amassed 29 points in total after conquering the climbs at Tekali and Ampang’s Lookout Point in Stage 2’s Kuala Klawang-Raub yesterday.

Movistar Team’s Ivan Sosa (third from left) holds the yellow jersey for his win in the individual classification in the 124.2km route, having clocked three hours, 35 minutes, 31 seconds. – Pic courtesy of 2022 Le Tour de Langkawi, October 13, 2022

Meanwhile, Movistar Team’s Ivan Sosa sprinted to victory for the individual classification in the 124.2km route in three hours, 35 minutes, 31 seconds.

The win earned him the coveted yellow jersey in the general classification, as of Stage 3, with a total time of 11h 18m 24s.

EF Education-EasyPost’s Hugh Carthy (+19s) came in second, followed by Sosa’s teammate Einer Rubio (+1m 45s).

“I am happy with this win, thanks to great teamwork,” said Sosa after the race.

“It was the victory I was looking for because I have had a complicated season, so it is important for me to finish the season well.”

Stage 4 of the ProSeries event will see riders sprinting along the 137.9km route from Sabak Bernam to Meru Jaya tomorrow. – The Vibes, October 13, 2022