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THE Iranian stranglehold on the Jelajah Malaysia ended in the decisive Stage Seven with 19-year old Australian Timothy Roe virtually sealing one of the most unexpected overall victories in the history of the race.
Roe, of the Savings & Loans team, partnered teammate and hot favourite Jai Crawford in pushing a heart-thumping pace in the final kilometres of the 116.2km stage that started in Tanjung Malim and ended in Gohtong Jaya in Genting Highlands.
The Iranian combination of the Tabriz Petrochemical and Azad University teams left just veteran Ghader Mizbani to answer the questions asked by the two Australians and the 34-year old aptly surrendered what was left of their six-day domination of the race.
Roe celebrated the mountain stage victory after just edging Mizbani to the line as the trio arrived at the slight descent to the finish line almost inseparable. He swept the yellow overall leader's jersey off the back of Tabriz Petrochemical's Mehdi Sohrabi, who finished a creditable 11th having already discounted his climbing capabilities prior to the mountain stage.
An early breakaway also proved decisive in the race for the points classification victory, which went to a surprised Armed Forces rider Nor Rizuan Zainal. The 19-man breakaway had formed at about seven kilometres into the stage and it contained Le Tua's Indonesian sprinter Samai Amari who was third in the points classification behind Mehdi and Azad University's Anuar Manan.
But as the pack approached the first intermediate sprint, Samai crashed after failing to avoid Malaysia's Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi, whose bike went out of control due to a mechanical problem. Samai suffered a dislocated arm and was out of the race, giving Nor Rizuan, who began the day fourth in the classification and seven points behind Mehdi, just the opportunity he wanted.
He swept a total of 11 points from the three intermediate sprints to take the lead with 24 points.
The mountain stage also saw the Malaysian riders' jersey change hands in surprising fashion with Rauf Nor Misbah climbing well to overcome and over four minutes deficit to steal the white jersey from two-time winner Suhardi Hassan.
But the glory of the day went to the Australian teenager, who had the blessings of his senior teammate Crawford to lead what will be a one-two finish for Australian outfit Savings & Loans by the end of the final stage, the Kuala Lumpur Criterium today.
"We came here with big hopes, so to be able to take the stage win and for our team to get a one-two in the GC (general classification) is just a great feeling. I've only been in the sport for about four years and this is my first UCI international race victory. It is my first real victory," said Roe, who admitted in the opening six stages of the race he had some concerns over the Iranian stranglehold on proceedings.
"The Iranians were strong and controlled everything. But we just rode our own separate race and when we found some openings, we went for it."
Crawford, 26, was not overly concerned with his two runner-up positions in consecutive races in Malaysia, after also finishing second in Le Tour de Langkawi in February.
"In LTdL, I finished second to Jose Serpa, which was a little harder to take. But here, finishing second to Timothy, is like a victory for myself as well. He's just 19, so for him to win the overall, means there's a rider to really look out for in times to come," said Crawford.
The end of the race's categorised climbs in yesterday's stages meant at least one jersey went to the powerful Iranian legion. Azad University's Abbas Saeditanha went through unscathed, confirming his polka dot jersey victory yesterday.
Source From:
Arnaz M. Khairul
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/Sport/2541469/Article/index_html
