MERU RAYA — Daniel Babor from Caja Rural-Seguros RGA attributed great teamwork as the reason he was able to take home a surprise win at Stage 4 of the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) today.
Today’s Stage 4 covered a distance of 140.2km from Bukit Mertajam, Seberang Perai in Penang to Meru Raya, Ipoh in Perak.
The Czech finished ahead of yesterday’s winner Kiwi George Jackson from Bolton Equities Black Spoke and Belgian Sasha Weemaes from Human Powered Health.
Babor said his team had a good plan for today and executed it fully.
“For me (this win) is not so unexpected because I have very good guys here. I know I’m not in good shape but I have my standard.
“But our teamwork is very good today and we did nice work.
“Tomas Barta and Gorka Sorarrain helped me a lot today, the plan was to put in full effort in the last one kilometre to be in the last corner in first and second.
“We did that and then I knew I can go (for the win),” said Babor.
This is Babor’s first participation in the LTdL and getting the win is a sweet ending to the season.
“I really struggled this year, but in the final (race) of the season I had a good race and it means a lot for me and for the team.”
Malaysia’s best finisher is Zulhelmi Zainal from the national team in 11th place.
Unfortunately, Zulhelmi’s teammate Muhammad Nur Aiman Rosli had to surrender the white jersey for Best Asian Rider classification to Ratchanon Yaowarat from Thailand Continental Cycling Team. — September 26, 2023
Stage 4 Classification winners:
Individual General Classification (Green Jersey): George Jackson of Bolton Equities Black Spoke
Best Asian Rider (White Jersey): Ratchanon Yaowarat of Thailand Continental Cycling Team
Best Sprinter (Orange Jersey): Arvid de Kleijn of Tudor Pro Cycling Team
Best Climber (Polka Dot Jersey): Simon Pellaud of Tudor Pro Cycling Team
Most Combative Rider: Giulio Masotto of Team Corratec-Selle Italia