Sobrahi conquers Jelajah Malaysia in style

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Mehdi Sobrahi and his Tabriz Petrochemical team conquered the 2011 Jelajah Malaysia in style when they won the overall individual general classification as well as the taking the best ranked team crown this year.

The Iranian outfit, which has been lurking in the background over the last few stages, finally flexed its muscles today and attacked the whole day long throughout the 175km ride.

And Mehdi could not have emerged as the more deserving champion than having last year's winner David McCann of Giant Kenda come in second behind him on the stage with a blistering time of 3:59:44.

"I had always maintained from the start that the Jelajah Malaysia this year is up for grabs for anyone who wants it," said Sohrabi.

"But my team worked hard today, they really worked for me. After the second sprint (at Sepang), I just went for it. When I looked back at the peloton, the yellow jersey (Vidal Celis of Le Tua Cycling) was very quiet and did not follow.

"There were several of us in front and we worked together including McCann all the way to the finish."

With Mehdi also confirming his win of the blue jersey for the best ranked Asian rider, the best-ranked Malaysian for the white jersey went to Amir Mustafa Rusli of the Police team.

"I tried to go for the blue jersey but Mehdi was just too strong," said Amir, who will be joining Drapac for the Tour of Taiwan next.

"He broke away after the second sprint which was really a long way off, some 70km to go to the finish which is rare for anyone to do."

The two wins that Muhammad Adiq Husainie scored at both Cat. 3 climb in Ampang and Semenyih ensured that he took over the red jersey for king of the mountain from Aisan's Kenichi Suzuki.

"The target was the red jersey for sure. I had wanted to maintain my top six position from last year but I had several punctures this time round. So I had to refocus on the red jersey instead," added Adiq.

"The two wins at the two climbs made all the difference and that was my aim this morning."

The Jelajah Malaysia could have been a different story this year with the newly formed Terengganu Cycling team learning some valuable lessons along the way. The team, which had been so strong at the start at one point had four jerseys but it didn't have the staying power to keep them.

"We learned a lot that is for sure," said Mohd Hariff Salleh, who won the sprinters' green jersey for the first time in his career.

"I switched from track cycling to road race and I need some adjustments. I am a little tired and perhaps we worked a little too hard at the start this time round."

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