A dejected Chris Sutton walks across the finish line (Image credit: Shane Goss)
By Greg Johnson in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Garmin-Slipstream is hoping to turn around its Tour de Langkawi fortunes on today's stage to Genting Highlands, after matters were only made tougher on yesterday's Stage four. Riders at the American squad were left disappointed after yesterday's stage didn't turn out to be as crucial as they believed it would.
"We were kinda hoping for an aggressive race that would have been a little more selective and broken up today, but now the whole thing is going to come back to whoever makes it up Genting the fastest," said Tim Duggan. "Obviously tomorrow I'll just arrive in Genting in a good position and let her rip. There's no hiding from there."
Duggan admitted he was disappointed the climbs on Stage four had little impact on the event's overall classification. After the race ended in yet another sprint, the stage's only legacy will be the impact it's taken on those who helped pull the race back together.
"That was a long one, long and hot," said Duggan. "It was kind of a weird day, I was reading the newspaper and hearing everyone talk about this day – I thought it was going to be a pretty decisive climbing day, our whole team did.
"We were waiting for the selection on the climb but you hardly shifted out of the big ring on those 'category 2, amazing climbs'," he added. "If we had known more what to expect, I think we would have changed our tactics and raced 100 percent for the sprint for CJ. Those climbs where just not selective at all."
Duggan, who is coming back from an accident at last year's Tour of Georgia, continues to be pleased with his rate of progress. He attacked the peloton on both of yesterday's climbs, but is hoping to have a bigger impact on the race today.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
