NUR AMIRUL GRABS OVERDUE STAGE WIN FOR TSG

Nur Amirul Fakhruddin wins stage 4 at Kudat

Stage 4 Winners

Jersey leaders after stage 4

KUDAT : Another exciting stage of the Tour of Borneo saw Nur Amirul Fakhruddin Mazuki emerging from the shadows of his more illustrious teammates to clinch an unexpected victory in stage four today.

The Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) rider crossed the line in three hours, 43 minutes and 36 seconds after covering 149.5km from Tuaran to Kudat. New Zealand's Thomas Hubbard (Data #3 Symantec Racing Team) and Peeter Pruus (Rietmu-Delfin Continental Cycling Team) finished second and third.

Pruus now leads the general classification but Nur Amirul is a close second, only 1:21s behind the Estonian as the Tour of Borneo moves into its final stage tomorrow.

Amirul has already achieved podium finishes at the Tour of Poyang Lake and Tour of Singkarak earlier this season and said he is happy to add another feather to his cap.

TSG's Mohd Harrif Saleh came close to winning a stage when finished third and second in stage two and three earlier in the Tour of Borneo.

"Obviously, I am really happy to get this win. To be honest, I did not set out today expecting to do it," said the 23-year-old, who is the first Malaysian to win a stage in the Tour of Borneo this year.

"Initially my role was to help Mohd Harrif win the stage but he felt tired after the climbs and told me to push ahead.

"It feels great to be second in the GC but I expect the fight for the yellow jersey to be tough tomorrow as there are a lot of good climbers.

"But I will try my best and we will see how things go."

Amirul's win saw him displace Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi (Police) as the Asian classification leader and will wear the white jersey in what is expected to be a grueling final stage.

Harrif's hopes of ending the tour with the green jersey are looking good as he took the lead in the sprints competition for a first time with a good showing in the intermediate sprints in stage four while Pegasus Continental Cycling Team's Agung Ali Sahbana took the red jersey from Pruus.

Stage five will see riders covering 181.1km, the longest in the Tour of Borneo, with a steep climb up to Kundasang (1,519m) set to put their endurance to the test. 

Tour of Borneo is organized by Borneo International Cycling, held from 31st October to 4th November 2015. The 2.2 category Tour is sanctioned by the International Cycling Union (UCI) and is listed in UCI Asian Tour calendar, it is hoped to promote Sabah as the ultimate sports tourism destination in Malaysia, and promote cycling in the state.

NEILAND NAILS STAGE THREE AS HARIFF MISSES AGAIN

Neiland celebrates as he crosses the line at Kuala Penyu

Stage 3 Winners (L-R) : Hariff Saleh (TSG), Krists Neiland (RBD) and Jos Koop (CCN)

Jersey leaders after Stage 3

The peloton passes a magnificent view

KUALA PENYU, 2 November 2015 : Youngster Krists Neilands of Latvia bagged his first stage win in a UCI sanctioned race but it was more heartbreak for local star Mohd Harrif Saleh at the Tour of Borneo today.

Neilands (Rietmu-Delfin Continental Cycling Team) reveled in a wet third stage, which saw riders covering 149.7km from Menumbok to Kuala Penyu, taking a close victory in in three hours, 25 minutes and five seconds.

Mohd Hariff (Terengganu Cycling Team) and CCN cycling Team's Jos Koop (Netherlands) came in second and third in the sprint finish.

A visibly delighted Neilands said he is hoping to add another win under his belt in stage four which will cover 149.5km from Tuaran to Kudat.

"I am really happy as this is the first time I have won a stage in a UCI (sanctioned) tour," said the 21-year-old.

"We pushed ahead after 100km and the team set me up perfectly for the finish.

"I have to thank the team as I could not have done it without them. I also enjoyed the rain today as it made for a more comfortable race (less hot).

"Tomorrow (stage four) is also a fairly flat stage and I believe we will approach it the same as we did today. I hope for another sprint finish.

"I definitely want to keep winning and will try my best to do so."

Mohd Hariff, however, has also set his sights on getting it right in stage four.

"I am a bit disappointed as I have come quite close to winning a stage twice here," said the 27-year-old, who came in third in stage two.

"I have won a stage here before and I believe I can do it again. I will try my best to win tomorrow (stage four) for Malaysia and my team".

Neiland's teammate Peeter Pruus (Estonia) also enjoyed a victory of his own as he took charge of the red jersey from Fatahillah Abdullah (Indonesia National Team) after winning the king of the mountains in Tangulian during the stage.

But Australian Craig Evers (Data #3 Symantec Racing Team), Koop and Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi (Police) maintained their yellow, green and white jerseys respectively.

Tour of Borneo is organized by Borneo International Cycling, held from 31st October to 4th November 2015. The 2.2 category Tour is sanctioned by the International Cycling Union (UCI) and is listed in UCI Asian Tour calendar, it is hoped to promote Sabah as the ultimate sports tourism destination in Malaysia, and promote cycling in the state.

KOOP PIPS RIVALS FOR SECOND STAGE WIN IN TOUR OF BORNEO

LABUAN, 1 November 2015 : Dutchman Jos Koop showed what he is capable of as he fended off Sea Games gold medalist Mohd Hariff Saleh among others to take the second stage of the Tour of Borneo yesterday.

Koop (CCN Cycling Team) felt the heat from not only the opposition but also the weather as he came out tops in the Labuan round island stage in three hours 10 minutes and 15 seconds, just ahead of Latvian Andris Smirnovs (Rietmu-Delfin Continental Cycling Team) and Mohd Hariff (Terengganu Cycling Team) in a bunch sprint finish.

The 27-year-old, who also bagged the green jersey (points classification) for his efforts, was happy he managed to emerge victorious despite the challenges faced.

"It was definitely a tough race, I am just not used to the hot conditions here," said Koop.

"I am glad I managed to keep up and get myself in a good position towards the end. I want to keep this (green) jersey until the end but I know I will have to fight for it. There are still another three stages and I know it will get tougher from here."

Mohd Hariff said he was slightly disappointed not to take the win but is hoping to make amends in the remaining three stages of the Tour of Borneo.

"My positioning was not that great towards the end and I had to work hard to get myself in the right place," said Mohd Hariff, who is arguably the best Malaysian sprinter at the moment.

"By the time I did (get into position) I had lost my momentum and was already a little tired in the final sprint.

"But it is still a decent result and I will try to do better tomorrow." He added.

Time trial winner Craig Evers (Data #3 Symantec Racing Team) of Australia and Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi both kept their yellow (general classification) and white (Asian classification) jerseys despite finishing 23rd and 20th in the stage. Fatahillah Abdullah (Indonesia national team) took charge of the red jersey (mountains classification).

Tour of Borneo is organized by Borneo International Cycling, held from 31st October to 4th November 2015. The 2.2 category Tour is sanctioned by the International Cycling Union (UCI) and is listed in UCI Asian Tour calendar, it is hoped to promote Sabah as the ultimate sports tourism destination in Malaysia, and promote cycling in the state.

RIDERS READY FOR BORNEO SPECTACLE

Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG)

Organising Chairman Dato' Fredie Sua welcoming the teams, officials & media to Tour of Borneo 2015.

Data #3 Symantec Racing Team

LABUAN, 31 October 2015 : The stage is set for another exciting edition of the Tour of Borneo with some of the most formidable teams in the region ready to battle it out for honours over the scenic and highly challenging terrain of Sabah.

The tour kicks off with a 27.2 kilometre time trial in Labuan with much at stake for teams hoping to do well. The five-stage Tour of Borneo will see riders covering a total distance of 646.4km through Labuan, Menumbok, Kuala Penyu, Tuaran, Kudat and Kundasang.

Pegasus Continental Cycling Team of Indonesia, which won the overall team at Le Tour de Langkawi earlier this year are one of the teams expected to contend. Team coach Giacomo Notari of Italy is optimistic of a strong outing in Sabah.

"The target for every team is to win the tour, and it is no different for us," said Notari.

"We have some good time trial specialists and also climbers in the team and I believe we can do well in the first stage and last stage from Kudat to Kundasang.

"What is important is that we watch out for any breakaways in all the other stages and I believe we will have a chance."

Singapore Sea Games time trial gold medalist Robin Manullang is part of the Pegasus squad in Sabah while Dadi Suryadi is also strong in the event. Notari expects Odie Purnama Setiawan to excel in the mountaineous region of Kundasang.

Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG), Team 7-Eleven Roadbike Phillipines, Data #3 Symantec Racing Team p/b Scody (Aus), Rietumu-Delfin Continental Cycling Team (Latvia) and CCN Cycling Team (Laos) are the other continental teams expected to do well in the Tour of Borneo. Teams from eight countries are competing this year.

TSG's Mohd Harrif Saleh said he is expecting the competition to be stiff.

"I came here straight from the Tour of Hainan where Rietmu-Delfin were also competing," said Mohd Harrif.

"From what I saw there (in Hainan) they are a very strong team and will be dangerous if they can perform to the same level here."

Organising Chairman Dato’ Fredie Sua said he was happy to be able to bring together another edition of the Tour of Borneo. The event was not held last year.

"I am very grateful to be able to stage this tour again. It is a great opportunity for us to show what we can actually show to the world how our country, and Sabah is," said Fredie at the team presentation dinner yesterday.

"Despite all the challenges faced, we have managed to organise another edition of the race thanks to the strong determination and teamwork we showed."

Tour of Borneo is organized by Borneo International Cycling, held from 31^st October to 4^th November 2015. The 2.2 category Tour is sanctioned by the International Cycling Union (UCI) and is listed in UCI Asian Tour calendar, it is hoped to promote Sabah as the ultimate sports tourism destination in Malaysia, and promote cycling in the state.

EMPHATIC WIN FOR TABRIZ, ANUAR TAKES SPRINT TITLE

PENAMPANG, Thursday 22 August 2013 - Iran's Tabriz Petrochemical Team (TPT) swept three titles after Mehdi Sohrabi added another stage win to their collection in the final stage of the Tour of Borneo 2013 from Kundasang to Penampang today.

Veteran Ghader Mizbani, 38, secured the overall general classification title after finishing in the seven-man breakaway that resulted in Sohrabi taking victory ahead of Uzbekistan's Ruslan Kadimov and Huon Salmon-Genesys' Joseph Cooper.

That wasn't all. Tabriz secured the top 2 spots in the final general classification with Mirsamad Pourseyedigolakhour finishing behind Mizbani, who also won the mountains and Asian riders' classifications.

The Iranian team also won the overall teams title by a massive 16-minutes advantage over second placed Huon Salmon-Genesys of Australia.

Tabriz had controlled the proceedings from the opening stage, even holding taking an early win through Sohrabi in Stage Three, before the race hit the decisive Stage Four, which featured the tough climbs up Gunung Emas and Kundasang.

"We had targeted Stage Four so we had prepared for that and we attacked according to plan. Today, we saw a chance for a breakaway and we tried to get another win as a bonus," said Mizbani.

"Our team was strong and well-prepared for this race. So, I'm happy with our performance. We now lead the UCI Asia Tour teams' standings, but not the individual rankings, so that is our next target."

Tabriz's performance was on another planet, as they showed today in having four riders in the seven-man breakaway - Mizbani, Sohrabi, Hossein Askari and Pourseyedigolakhour.

"We know our level is higher than most of the other Asian teams and we should be racing in Europe or America, but there are some political issues in that. Because of sanctions against Iran, it is impossible for us to get visas to enter most countries outside of Asia, so we are limited to racing in the UCI Asia Tour," said Mizbani.

"I am sure that with our level, we should be able to even win some big races in Europe, and we won't have problems getting invited. The only problem is, because we are Iranian, getting visas would be impossible."

Synergy-Baku Cycling Project's Anuar Manan was the only rider to deny Tabriz a clean sweep of titles when he barely managed to take the points classification victory by a single point over Sohrabi.

"For me this was a race where I was making my comeback, after a long lay-off due to my back injury. So, I had planned to use this to get back into form. Winning the points classification is just a bonus for me, as I still have some way to go before I reach my peak form again," said Anuar.

"I still haven't won a stage and my team have targeted the Tour of China in October for me to do that, so I want to ensure I am back on form by then."

Mehdi Sohrabi in great form takes the final stage in Penampang

Anuar steals the green jersey from an almost clean sweep by Ghader Mizbani (Asian, KOM & Yellow) 

Tabriz Petrochemical takes the best Asian team and Overall Team classification

MIZBANI AND POURSEYEDIGOLAKHOUR DEMOLISH ALL OPPOSITION IN MASSIVE MOUNTAIN STAGE VICTORY

Ghader Mizbani takes the stage win, the Asian, KOM and Yellow jerseys

Today's winners at Kundasang

Jersey leaders after today's stage

KUNDASANG, Wednesday  21 August 2013 - Tabriz Petrochemical's Ghader Mizbani emerged with a devastating victory in much anticipated Stage Four of the Tour of Borneo 2013, featuring the gruelling climb up to Kundasang today, to grab the overall lead, the Asian riders' classification and the king of the mountains leads.

The 38-year old Iranian, who escaped from the peloton with teammate Mirsamad Pourseyedigolakhour at the foot of the first category climb to Gunung Emas, completed the 147.1km stage in four hours 31 minutes and 51 seconds with both teammates crossing the finish line in the same time.

The Tabriz pair finished six minutes and 25 seconds ahead of third placed Joseph Cooper of Huon Salmon-Genesys, to register a massive lead in the general classification which is unlkely to be threatened in the final stage from Kundasang to Penampang tomorrow.

Malaysia's Anuar Manan of the Synergy-Baku Cycling Project, retained the green jersey as the points classification leader although he failed to add any points in the intermediate sprint in Tambunan today.

Making their debut in the Tour of Borneo after missing out on the race last year, Tabriz were hardly threatened, although Huon Salmon-Genesys rider Nathan Earle, last year's runner-up was expected to provide a stern challenge after winning the stage to Kundasang last year.

Tabriz's intentions were clear right from the moment they controlled the race to keep the peloton together and their attack at the foot of Gunung Emas.

Though chased by a pack of 10 riders, including Cooper, Earle and Synergy-Baku's John Ebsen, Mizbani and Mirsamad continued to pull a gap that extended to more than 10 minutes when they approached the intermediate sprint in Tambunan.

"This is our first time entering Tour of Borneo and we have never rode this route before. But because there were two difficult climbs, we wanted to be in front. The first climb to Gunung Emas was very difficult but we made an early attack to ensure victory," said Mizbani.

"This was out targeted stage and today was good for Tabriz because all our riders managed to do their job well," added Mizbani, who has now collected 30 points in the mountains classification.

On his advantage of 6 minutes 25 seconds over closer rival Cooper, entering the final stage from Kundasang to Penampang tomorrow, Mizbani said the big gap doesn't necessarily guarantee the yellow jersey will remain in their hands as anything could happen.

"We will still be careful tomorrow (Stage 5) because anything can happen, like accidents or mechanical problems," said Mizbani.

Meanwhile, Anuar went through an anxious moment when he was involved in a small accident right as the race was flagged off for the actual start at kilometre zero, when he crashed into the race director's car and suffered light injuries and mechanical problems.

He still maintains a 16-point advantage over closest rival Mehdi Sohrabi (Tabriz) in the points classification after managing to continue the race despite pain in his hands, knees and ankles.

"I hope I will be able to ride as normal tomorrow because it is important for me to continue collecting points at intermediate sprints and challenge for the stage victory. I hope the damage to my bicycle will not affect my chances," said Anuar, 27.

The best ranked Malaysian on the day was Loh Sea Keong (OCBC Singapore) who finished 17th, 18 minutes and 35 seconds behind Mizbani, while two other riders failed to finish the stage, meaning just 96 riders will start the final stage tomorrow.

Tabriz also strengthened their position in the teams classification with a total time of 45 hours 59 minutes and 09 seconds, more than 15 minutes ahead of Genesys.

The final stage tomorrow will cover 98km from Kundasang to Penampang will be the final chance for challengers to wrest their targeted jerseys, but the short route and flat finish is expected to see all four jerseys remain with the same riders.

TERENGGANU-BORN RIDERS DOMINATE PODIUM, SOHRABI RETAINS YELLOW JERSEY

Harrif proves he's the best today

All top 3 today winners hails from Terengganu

The jersey leaders after stage 3

KOTA KINABALU, Tuesday 20 August 2013 - Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) sprinter Harrif Saleh took victory in Stage Three of the Tour of Borneo 2013 from Penampang to Kota Kinabalu today, while Tabriz Petrochemical's Mehdi Sohrabi successfully retained the yellow jersey although he finished fourth.

It was a much awaited victory for Harrif and his team after missing out on bunch sprints at the finishes of the opening two stages. 

Harrif and his elder brother Zamri, who finished third, worked well together to deny Synergy-Baku's Anuar Manan right on the finish line to finish the 132.6km stage ahead of the peloton in 3 hours 20 minutes and 39 seconds.

Anuar, who continued to display improvements after finishing second in the stage, was still smiling after managing to consolidate his lead in the points classification after adding another 16 points for a 44 points total, 16 points ahead of Sohrabi in that classification.

The red jersey for the king of the mountains switched to Indonesia's Endra Wijaya of CCC after he collected 4 points at the sole categorised climb in Tamparuli to equal LBC's Junrey Navarra, OCBC Singapore's Loh Sea Keong and his own teammate Agung Ali Shahbana atop the mountains classification.

The short and flat stage was undeniably ideal for the TSG gameplan and they executed a successful tactical move to dominate the bunch sprint through Harrif.

"In the first two stages our plans didn't work out because of the hills and some breakaways, which made it difficult for us. I was also unlucky yesterday because I had a mechanical problem and had to use a spare bike," said Harrif.

"But today we rode well. Eventhough Mehdi made an early move, we had my teammate Saiful Anuar Abdul Aziz follow him. I didn't panic as I knew Mehdi would run out of energy. Then I followed Anuar and managed to overtake him at the finish line," added Harrif, who added his second win of the season after winning a stage in the Jelajah Malaysia.

As soon as the stage began at the Dewan Majlis Daerah Penampang, three riders Wijata, Mohd Rauf Nor Misbah (Malaysia) and Chang Wei Kei (RTS) made a breakaway attempt and conquered the first intermediate sprint in Sepangar and the climb at Tamparuli.

Although they were 4 minutes ahead, they were caught by the peloton before Rustom Lim (LBC) made a solo attack on the descent from the hills and was almost two minutes ahead before he was caught by a peloton led by Tabriz with 15km to go.

Tabriz worked hard to catch a group of 8 riders who made a last ditch attempt at a breakaway, before Mehdi tried his move, similar to when he won Stage Two in Papar yesterday, by launching a late attack inside the final 10 kilometres.

However, Mehdi's move didn't work this time as the peloton surged ahead and caught him in the final 50 metres.

"That's cycling. Sometimes our tactics work, sometimes they don't," said Mehdi, before adding that Tabriz will now focus on the mountain stage up to Kundasang at the foot of Mount Kinabalu tomorrow, where either Ghader Mizbani or Hossein Askari are expected to go for the overall victory.

Meanwhile, Anuar said he did not get help from his teammates in the final kilometres and had to make his move on his own, before being overtaken by Harrif at the finish line.

"Without the help of my teammate, I had to work on the sprint alone and was forced to launch my sprint early and I failed because TSG had many riders in the front, giving them an advantage.

"I am still satisfied because I managed to consolidate my position in the points classification with more points and I will try to add to that tomorrow," said Anuar, who is just coming back from a lengthy lay-off due to a back injury.

Three riders failed to finish today's stage, leaving 98 starters for the penultimate stage tomorrow.

Stage 4 of the Tour of Borneo 2013 from Kota Kinabalu to Kundasang is the decider which includes a catrgory 1 climb at Gunusg Emas and an intermediate sprint at Tambunan, before the finish line in Kundasang.

SOHRABI FIRES EARLY TABRIZ WARNING

Mehdi out-sprints the bunch to take the win

Papar's top 3 winners

Yellow, Blue and Green changes hands after today's stage

PAPAR, Monday 19 August 2013 - Iran's Mehdi Sohrabi fired favourites Tabriz Petrochemical into the driving seat after taking victory in Stage Two, while grabbing the overall general classifcation lead in the Tour of Borneo 2013 today.

Sohrabi, 32, made a last ditch successful breakaway attempt to end the longest stage of this edition of the Tour of Borneo covering 189.5km from Tanjung Aru to Papar.

After an early breakaway of six riders that saw Anuar Manan of the Synergy-Baku Cycling Project sweep top spot in all three intermediate sprints en route to taking over the points classification lead from Corbusier's Paul van der Ploeg, was caught with 50km to go, it first looked certain for another bunch sprint finish.

But Sohrabi had other ideas after tagging along in a 10-man breakaway in the final 10 kilometres before launching a solo attack in the final five kilometres which only LBC's Ronald Lomotos managed to follow. Lomotos barely managed to keep second spot as the peloton rushed in with Tabriz's Hossein Nateghi leading to take third spot right behind the Filipino.

"I was feeling good and my legs felt very good in the final kilometres of the race, so I decided to have a go in the breakaway. It was okay for me to go because our team had our sprinter Hossein Nateghi in the bunch waiting to pounce if it came to a bunch sprint," said Sohrabi, who spent last season riding with Belgian UCI Pro Team Lotto-Belisol.

  

"In the final five kilometres I was still feeling good, so I thought I could go alone for the victory and I saw the rider from LBC followed me. I am happy to have taken the win, as our team came here targeting the overall victory.

  

"We are not going to wait until the fourth stage, the climb up to Kundasang because in cycling anything can happen. There are other strong riders in this race, who could go for the win as well and anything an happen in the race, like crashes or punctures. So it was good for us to take the yellow jersey today."

  

Sohrabi leads the general classification by just four seconds ahead of Corbusier's van der Ploeg, the winner of Stage One on Sunday. Australian van der Ploeg also lost his points classification lead to Anuar, with an exciting battle between the two awaiting ahead with Anuar of 26 points and van der Ploeg just a point behind.

  

Anuar said he went out in the breakaway to take the points in the three intermediate sprints today to put himself into contention for the points classification, but will now focus on getting his first win in the UCI Asia Tour since December 2011.

  

"I am just returning after a long lay-off due to a back injury, so I was planning to enter this race to train and recover my form. But now, I think I'll try to push as well. Since I have a chance I want to go for the points classification win, but there are big points at the finish line as well," said Anuar.

  

"So maybe it would be better to focus on the finish and not the intermediate sprints, so from tomorrow we'll just try to control the race and watch for those high in the points classification, not to allow them to breakaway and close in on the points. It has been a long time, so I want to try and get a victory as well."

  

Stage Three of the Tour of Borneo 2013 tomorrow will be from Penampang to Kota Kinabalu, covering a route of 132.6km.