LTdL 2011 - Stage 3 Photos & Quotes

"At first I have to say a big thank you to my team. The lead out worked really well. I got the best position I could have for sprinting."

"When I look at our team here, I see two good climbers and two good sprinters. For sprinting, we have Kenny van Hummel and myself. Today Kenny said he preferred to help me out, so I had the privilege to go into the sprint with him and Koen de Kort in front of me. We don’t want to focus on only one person at Skil-Shimano. The whole team is really strong. "

"When I got the call for Le Tour de Langkawi, I was a little bit afraid because racing in January is very early and it’s new to me. It’s completely different than what I’m used to in Europe. I feel a bit strange to begin my career in Asia where I’ve never raced before but I like it actually. I like the heat. The conditions for racing here are really good. It’s a nice country. People are very friendly. When I look at the eyes of the spectators, I feel that cycling is still something new to them."

"I didn’t know about the history of all these riders like Alessandro Petacchi who have collected their first pro win here or started their career here like Paolo Bettini. But it’s nice to hear. As far as my future is concerned, I don’t want to compare myself with other riders. I’m known as a time triallist, especially since I got the bronze medal at the U23 world championship last year, but I want to show during my first year as a pro that I can also be fast in the sprints. Today is a good start."

Marcel Kittel (Skil Shimano)


“I’m quite disappointed to loose the stage. It is difficult to keep going at the high level. Anyway, he had done a good work today. I will try to keep the yellow and blue jersey. I tried to win the sprint and the team had done everything to get into a bunch finish.”

“Tomorrow is another hard stage. Some people might think that it is easier for sprinters but we have to fight hard for the blue jersey and points. And it is not an easy thing to go up the climb.”

“Tomorrow it will be impossible to keep the yellow jersey but I hope to keep the blue jersey and remain it until the last stage in Kuala Lumpur.”

FARNESE VINI-NERI SOTTOLI: GUARDINI, ANDREA


“This is the third stage and it’s also flat like the days before. Today’s effort I got second place. I am disappointed but we almost achieved our target for stage win, after this there more flat stages to come.”

“For tomorrow and the day after, I will try to get a good placing with the group in the climb so that I can continue my battle for the stages to come.”

“Today I received incentive from CEO of LTdL, and I am really grateful. This will further motivate my team to work even harder.”

TERENGGANU PROASIA CYCLING: MANAN, ANUAR

LTdL 2011 - Stage 2 Photos & Quotes

QUOTES for STAGE 2

“I’m very happy. Today’s win showed that yesterday’s win was not a coincidence. I must say a big thank you to my team because they rode in front from the first to the last kilometer and Favilli drove me to the front with a few hundreds meter to go and I finish the job.”

FARNESE VINI-NERI SOTTOLI: GUARDINI, ANDREA


“My target is trying to get point jersey but winning the Asian Jersey is a bonus for me. For today, my target and my teammate’s target is to win the stage and also collect more points.”

“First intermediate and second intermediate, they were some break-away riders. For today, I am also happy not being involved in the crashes. And I’m happy with the third place, tomorrow I will collect more points and to get closer with the Yellow Jersey holder.”

TERENGGANU PROASIA CYCLING: MANAN, ANUAR


“I think everybody knew after yesterday that there is a fair a bit chance I was to be in a bunch sprint. A lot of guys wanted to actually be in a break-away. So as soon as two guys went up the road...just let the two Italian do the job for us and bring us to the finishing line. It is still a long race and many hard days to come.”

SKIL SHIMANO CYCLING TEAM: DE KORT, KOEN

LTdL 2011 - Stage 1 Photos & Quotes

"This is my first professional race, that’s why I didn’t believe that I win the stage today. But I enjoy the race and will repeat the winning in the other stages."

"I will try to hold the jersey until stage three. Maybe at stage four since the stage is very hard for me, I will have to leave the jersey to someone else."

FARNESE VINI –NERI SOTTOLI : GUARDINI, ANDREA
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"I am happy with second place. This is the first time I spotted a place in top ten list."

KOREA NATIONAL TEAM: PARK, SUNGBAEK
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"I am happy with the third place. Anuar helped me alot to win the stage today. I worked well with Anuar, and helped him to collect points in the Sprint zones. At the last part, Anuar helped me to get a placing at the stage."

"I didn’t expect to get a placing, it’s the biggest race for me and this is the first time ever. I can’t believe I got third place today!"
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BAHASA : Saya bekerjasama baik dengan Anuar. Saya tolong Anuar untuk kutip mata di Sprint Zone. Dan di last stage, Anuar pula tolong saya untuk mendapat kedudukan hari ini.

Saya tak percaya dapat menang stage hari ini. Ini adalah perlumbaan besar bagi saya. Dan ini kemenangan pertama kali buat saya sendiri. Saya pun tak percaya lah dapat nombor tiga hari ini.

TERENGGANU PROASIA CYCLING: SALLEH, MOHD HARRIF
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"I tried to do a really aggressive race today. Then I was caught by the group of chasers. I was thinking to get points for this first race."

"I decided to stay away again. We are working very well enough together and will try to go for a stage win again tomorrow."

"I won (Mountains classification) today. Genting Highland and Cameron Highlands are actually really hard for me. I will try to get a couple of points here and there. Eventhough it is hard for me, I will try, that’s for sure."

SKIL SHIMANO CYCLING TEAM: DE KORT, KOEN