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22 APRIL 2009
KUALA TERENGGANU: A Terengganu native, Anuar Manan who represents Azad University presented his victory of Stage 4 Jelajah Malaysia (JM) 2009 to the locals of his birthplace as he finished first in race from Pasir Mas to Kuala Terengganu.
A Kuala Ibai, Terengganu native, Anuar led the other 95 riders to the finish in a bunch in 4 hours 9minutes and 21seconds.
Anuar, 23, said that the endless support from the locals in Terengganu his birthplace gave him the intensity to be in the lead.
"I was aiming for the win and I thanked fellow riders who have been working hard from the start for today’s victory. Earlier in stage many riders attacked however I managed to be in the lead at the finishing line," he quoted.
He said that both local and international riders battle it out neck-to-neck all the way in race of 177.5km.
"A number of riders attacked fiercely during the race and I didn’t get to add any points for the green jersey at the sprint zones as I was keeping my energy for the finish.”
"At 50 meter towards the finishing line, Polygon Sweetnice’s rider Sergey Kudentsov tried to block my attack. However I managed to escape and lead the finish," he said.
In today’s race all jerseys are still in the grip of previous keepers.
Yellow and green jerseys are still in the hands of Mehdi Sohrabi of Azad University while the white jersey is held tight in the grasp of Suhardi Hassan of Malaysian national team.
"Stage 4 from Pasir Mas to Kuala Terengganu was a flat course. I thank god that I get to keep the white jersey as I managed to be in the lead bunch.”
"At 500 meter towards the finishing line, I managed to avoid an accident involving four riders and secure a better spot," mentioned Suhardi.
Local rider representing Trek Marco Polo, Ahmad Haidar Anuawar who kept the green and white jersey in the first stage of JM 2009 was involved in an accident at 500m from the finish and dislocated his right shoulder.
Stage 5 is expected to be more of a challenge than today’s race, as riders will be cycling along the beach and come face-to-face with the wind factor in the longest route starting from Kuala Terengganu to Kuantan a staggering distance of 199.5km.
JM 2009 organised by Ten Speed Events Sdn Bhd features 21 teams comprise of Malaysian National Team, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia B, LeTua Cycling Team, Terengganu Toshiba-Bike Labz, Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM), Jelly Belly Cycling Team (USA), Azad University Continental Team (Iran), Savings & Loan Cycling Team (Australia), Shimano Racing Team (Japan), Polygon Sweetnice Team (Indonesia), Tabriz Petrochemical Team (Iran), Aisan Racing Team (Japan), Ride Sport Racing (Australia), Giant Asia Cycling Team (Taiwan), Bridgestone Anchor (Japan), Trek Marco Polo Cycling Team (China), Doha Team (Qatar), Tinelli Colossi Cycling (New Zealand) dan JazySports Beacon (Phillipines).
JM 2009 is an eight-stage race of 1,240km in total distance with Stage 1 starting from Kuala Selangor to Ipoh, Stage 2 (Ipoh - Sungai Petani), Stage 3 (Gerik - Tanah Merah), Stage 4 (Pasir Mas - Kuala Terengganu), Stage 5 (Kuala Terengganu - Kuantan), Stage 6 (Kuantan - Bera), Stage 7 (Tanjung Malim - Genting) before ending the race in a Criterium race in Dataran Merdeka.
