Kota Bharu, Malaysia –Junreck Carcueva of 7-Eleven-Cliqq-Air 21-Roadbike Philippines placed second among Asian riders on Monday’s Stage 2 of the PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi.
Carcueva was in the lead pack in another mass finish, that brought the riders from Kuala Terengganu to Kota Bahru. It was a relatively flat race, with two mild ascents inside the 186.2-kilometer stage.
“Nu’ng makita ko na may lumalayo sa final 500 meters, sumabay talaga ako kahit laspag na din ako,” said Carcueva, who came behind another Asian, Roku Onaka of JCL Team Ukyo from Japan.
Glen Syritsa of Astana Qazakstan topped the stage, where all the riders had similar clocking of 4 hours and 15.4 minutes.
Tuesday will have the crucial stage 3 where the riders will tackle four uphill climbs in the 183.1-km race from Jeli to Baking.
The toughest of the four is the second trek up the mountains of Puncak Tiwangsa, that is 1,066 meters above sea level.
Veteran campaigner Nichol Pareja said Monday’s stage 3, which has four uphill climbs, will separate the men from the boys.
“Dami akyatan. Dito (stage 3) may mga bibitaw na diyan. Kung sino mag-lead diyan at makapag-maintain sa stage 5, malamang ‘yun na kukuha hanggang dulo.”
Pareja was the top Filipino performer last year, when he emerged best Asian finisher in Stage 7 and received trophy and cash prize for his podium-worthy performance.
The other Filipino riders Ismael Gorospe, Rench Michael Bondoc, Joshua Pascual and team captain Ryan Tugawin also finished well and remained in the hunt for honors.
Stage 1 winner Arvid de Kleijn of Tudor Cycling Team is still the overall leader.
He confirmed Pareja’s view, saying all sprinters like him should do well in the treacherous Genting Highland climb in Stage 5.
The Dutchman admitted that while pure climbers may shine in two uphill-filled stages 3 and 5, sprinters will still take it in the end.
“But overall, it’s a sprinter’s race as there are six stages which favour us…so it’s good for sprinters to make an impact,” he said.