Friday, March 05, 2010
Malaysian Anuar Manan creates history in Le Tour de Langkawi
PORT DICKSON: Local cycling ace Anuar Manan continued his sensational form to create history by becoming the first Malaysian to win a Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) stage.
Anuar, 24, representing Geumsan Ginseng Asia, won stage five on Friday from Muar, Johor to Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan, a distance of 111.5km, en route to sweeping aside a strong challenge from world class pro tour and continental riders.
In doing so, the Terengganu-born rider clocked 2 hours 23 minutes 11 seconds, and joined an illustrious list of seven riders from Asia who have achieved such a feat and only the second Asean rider to do so since 1996.
The other Asean rider who managed such a feat was Indonesian rider Samai Amari from Le Tua, last year.
Apart from the stage win, Anuar also wrested the green jersey from overnight leader Michael Matthews (Jayco-Skins) from Australia after winning one sprint zone Friday at Umbai, Malacca.
"I am absolutely delighted with the stage win as I have achieved the target and the win was made possible because of the tremendous support from the local fans. I must thank the fans for helping me to win," he told reporters after the race here.
