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| An emotional finish for Jakub, his second time winning in Rembau |
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| TEAL jersey goes to Jakub Mareczko |
REMBAU, 28 February 2017 : Tipped as the hot favourites
for the bunch sprint finishes this year, Italy’s Jakub Mareczko of Wilier
Triestina became the first rider to win two stages at this year’s Le Tour de
Langkawi as claimed stage 6 to Rembau after he opened his season’s account in
Pantai Remis on day 3.
He’s unbeaten in Rembau where he
took his first ever Malaysian success one year ago and therefore announced himself
for filling the shoes of Andrea Guardini who holds the record of stage
victories with 22. Also a diminutive sprinter, Mareczko moved into the lead of
the points competition while Ryan Gibbons, fifth on the line, retained the
yellow jersey.
“I put my team at the front in
the final kilometers with [Filippo] Pozzato, [Alberto] Cecchin and [Rafael]
Andriato to lead me out”, Mareczko explained. “There was a curve with 400
metres to go.
Cecchin took it in first
position. After Andriato’s last pull, I opened my sprint. It feels very good to
get a second stage win. I’m very happy today. After winning a stage, my goal
this year was to get the points jersey. Now I have it and I hope to defend it
tomorrow by trying to get another first place. I’m hoping for a sunny day to
conclude Le Tour de Langkawi after the pouring rain we’ve had today.”
“My priority was to retain the
yellow jersey”, echoed Gibbons. “It was nice to have the teal as well but
Mareczko is a top quality rider. He’s fast! I’m not too disappointed. I’m happy
for him but I hope I’ll get it back tomorrow. I was feeling very good today,
also under the rain. I was cautious on the wet. It was easy to go down. Just
stay upright and out of trouble, that was my concern. Tomorrow’s stage is
short.
It’s going to be very
aggressive. But we’re ready for it. I’m so thankful for the help I got from my
team-mates. There’s one more day. I’m strongly hoping that I’ll be in yellow in
Putrajaya as well.”
Veteran WorldTour rider Greg
Henderson of Unitedhealthcare was awarded the combativity prize of the day
after being the driving force behind the main breakaway of the day with Jacopo
Mosca (Wilier Triestina), Huang En (Keyi Look), Dominic Perez (7/11) and escape
artist Loh Sea Keong (Thailand Continental Team).
The conclusive stage of the 22nd
Le Tour de Langkawi will be 121km long from Setiawangsa (Kuala Lumpur) to
Putrajaya.
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