Guardini strikes again in Tampin

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Andrea Guardini (Farnese Vini-Neri Sottoli) again showed his immense sprinting speed by taking his fourth win in the Tour of Langkawi in Tampin.

Team UnitedHealthcare had their train going at full speed in the final five hundred metres but the feisty Italian showed maturity beyond his years by jumping them from third wheel to take a tremendous victory. Robert Forster (UnitedHealthcare) was second with Rico Rogers (Giant Kendra Pro Cycling) rounded out the podium.

“It was a difficult sprint today because not many people expected such a finish,” said Guardini. “Looking at the race book it stated the stage was uphill but in reality the last two kilometres were downhill. I took the corner in sixth position, which was the ideal position and did my 300 metres finishing sprint.”

Anuar Manan (Terengganu ProAsia Cycling Team) failed to score points on the stage relinquishing the blue jersey to Guardini, who now has a fourteen point buffer over the Malaysian.

“I have decided not to race for intermediate sprints anymore and keep my strength for the finish,” admitted Guardini. “Thanks to the breakaway, no sprints were contested and Anuar couldn’t take more points on the stage. I have a comfortable lead but it’s not over yet for the blue jersey.”

In the yellow jersey battle things didn’t change between Libardo Nino (Le Tua Cycling Team) and Jonathan Monsalve (Androni Giocattoli). However, the misleading profile in the race book may have hampered Monsalve’s attempt to claim the yellow jersey.

Monsalve reflected on the stage and what could have been: “Today was an ideal day for taking the jersey because the race book stated an uphill finish,” explained Monsalve. “That’s why we let the breakaway go because we thought we could take the yellow jersey with the uphill finish. Unfortunately the finish was downhill and there was nothing we could do.”

The early break featured Adiq Othman (Drapac Professional Cycling Team), Deon Locke (Team Champion Systems), David McCann (Giant Kendra), Bradley Potgieter (MTN Qhubeka), Manuele Caddeo (Colnago –CSF Inox), Max Jenkins (UnitedHealthcare), Sea KeongLoh (Malaysian National Team) and Kihong Yoo (Korea National Team).

They built up a maximum advantage of four and a half minutes before they were reeled in. They were caught in the final five kilometres and Pierre Rolland (Europcar) attacked, making a solo charge to the line. He was caught on the downhill near the finish and then Guardini took his fourth victory.

Libardo Nino was pleased to keep the yellow jersey after the stage.

“This stage was a little bit difficult because my team wasn’t that strong, however, it went without problems,” Nino said.

“The second part of the race helped me because other teams worked strongly to catch the breakaway and I’m happy to wear the jersey again."