Nino takes the lead on Genting Highlands

Colombian Libardo Nino Corredor (LeTua Cycling Team) moved into the overall lead at the Tour de Langkawi thanks to finishing second behind stage winner Jonathan Monsalve (Androni Giocattoli) at the Genting Highlands mountain finish. Mirsamad Pourseyedi (Azad University Cycling Team) finished third on the stage, one second behind the duo.

The queen stage to Genting usually decides the winner of the Tour de Langkawi but with two seconds separating both riders, the race is going to remain hotly contested for the last five stages.

Monsalve’s win wasn’t enough to give him the yellow jersey, he was two seconds short, but nevertheless the 21-year old neo-pro was ecstatic after his stage win.

“I would like to thank my whole team….the masseurs, mechanics and everyone who has helped me, especially Emanuele Sella on the climb; he did a great job for me. I would like to thank Gianni Savio who gave me the confidence to do well today. He told me I could win the race and I did it,” Monsalve said.

How the stage was won

An early break of six riders went off the front of the peloton and featured Hilton Clarke (UnitedHealthCare), Kenny Van Hummel (Skil Shimano), Benjamin Gourgue (Landbouwkrediet), Bradley Potgieter (MTN Qhubeka), Sea KeongLoh (Malaysian National Team) and Gu Jang (Korea National Team).

At the start of the climb, Gourgue and Jang attacked the group as the peloton were within two minutes. Over the next ten kilometres, they were caught and Pierre Roland (Europcar) tried to go solo. In the final five kilometres, he was joined by Lachlan Morton (Chipotle Development Team) and the duo held a half a minute advantage over a group of nine riders, which didn’t include overnight leader Takeaki Ayabe.

They were caught in the final two kilometres where Domenico Pozzovivo tried his luck. The Italian was unsuccessful and was caught in the final kilometre, as seven riders came together. In the closing metres in sight of the line, Monsalve got the better of the select group to win the stage.

Tight battle expected over the closing stages

Nino's overall lead is very slim but as the oldest man in the field, at 43 years of age, he has the experience required to hold the yellow jersey until the finish in Kuala Lumpur.

“I’m very happy today. I’m happy to lead the Tour de Langkawi and be in Malaysia. I didn’t know much about the country before I came and it’s even better than I hoped it would be,” he explained.

“I hope I will be able to maintain the lead until the finish of the Tour. This is my last race at continental level so I hope for the best. After this race, I will return to Colombia to race at amateur level.”

Team work will be vital over the next couple of stages and Nino has confidence in his own ability and his team.

“The remaining stages are relatively flat. I will count on my team and pay attention to the riders who are close to me on the general classification. I think I have good form, but it’s very tight,” Nino said.

Jonathan Monsalve doesn’t know what the plan will be but wants the yellow jersey at all costs and will give challenge Nino until the final stage.

“I will have to speak to Gianni Savio to see what we will do. There are five remaining stages with time bonus sprints. I hope to make it, but we’ll see.”