Wilier sprint train propels Mareczko to stage win in Langkawi

PANTAI REMIS, Malaysia—It took three days for Polish-born, Italian sprinter Jakub Mareczko to pick up his first win at the 22nd edition of Le Tour de Langkawi (UCI 2.HC) in Pantai Remis, Malaysia on Friday.

The 22-year-old 2016 under-23 world road race bronze medallist made it look easy as he crossed the line after 118km with hands raised ahead of stage 1 winner Scott Sunderland (IsoWhey Sports-SwissWellness), Modh Zamri Saleh (Terengganu Cycling Team) and Nicolas Marini (Nippo-Vini Fantini).

The win was a welcome relief for the heavy pre-race favourite, who claimed stage wins in San Luis, Turkey, Qinghai Lake, Taihu Lake and Langkawi last year.

“In the previous stages I had just come beck from Tour of Oman which was very hard for me,” Mareczko explained to Eurosport. “In the first stage I tried to find good form, but didn’t have the legs.

“Yesterday was not a good stage for me as it was very hard and long, and I had to rely on my mates to help me get through it.

“But today my team believed in me and I was to do a good sprint for the win.”

One of the main reasons for the day’s success falls on his team’s sprint train, let by 2006 Milan-San Remo winner Filippo Pozzato, who said the team is just now starting to gel.

“This is the first race working for Jakub and before the year I speak with him and tell him to stay on my wheel and there will be no problems and now we are starting to have a good feeling for all and it paid off,” Pozzato told Eurosport. “Today’s win is good for the head and the morale. It is the first victory of the season and very important for both Jakub and Wilier.

“All of us are very happy today.”

With three sprint stages behind the peloton, now the race heads into the Cameron Highlands for what could be the decisive day in the eight-stage UCI Asia Tour road race. Currently Ryan Gibbons maintains his hold of the yellow leaders jersey, followed by stage 2 winner Travis McCabe (UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling) at 3 second back and Pozzato at 11.

Stage 3 Classification

1. Jakub Mareczko, ITA, Wilier Triestina, 2:48:56

2. Scott Sunderland, AUS, IsoWhey Sports-SwissWellness, s.t.

3. Mohd Zamri Saleh, MAS, Terengganu Cycling Team, s.t.

General Classification

1. Ryan Gibbons, RSA, Dimension Data, 7:59:13

2. Travis McCabe, USA, UnitedHealthcare, +0:03

3. Filippo Pozzato, ITA, Wilier Triestina, +0:11

Classification Leaders

Race Leader (Yellow Jersey): Ryan Gibbons, RSA, Dimension Data

Points Leader (Teal Jersey): Scott Sunderland, IsoWhey Sports-SwissWellness

Mountains leader (Red Jersey): John Ebsen, DEN, Infinite AIS Cycling Team

Best Asian Rider (White Jersey): Yevgeniy Gidich, KAZ, Vino-Astana Motors

Best Malaysian Rider: Mohd Zamri Saleh, MAS, Terengganu Cycling Team

Best Malaysian Rider Overall: Mohd Shahrul Mat Amin, MAS, Terengganu Cycling Team

Combativity Award: Dominic Perez, PHI, 7 Eleven-Roadbike Philippines

Teams classification: IsoWhey Sports-SwissWellness, 32:25:14