Hondo delivers superb sprint
finish into Batu Pahat
12/2/2008
BATU PAHAT (12 Feb, 2008) - Veteran
Danilo Hondo delivered a superb sprint finish into Batu Pahat
as he stormed ahead of the battling pack that included five-time
stage winner Alberto Loddo at the end of Stage Four of Le Tour
de Langkawi 2008 which began in Port Dickson this morning.
The Serramenti PVC rider, who had previously
ridden for team T-Mobile and Tinkoff Credit Systems, was absolutely
thrilled today as winning the stage had capped a return to form
for the controversial cyclist. Although it was never conclusively
proven to have used banned substances, Hondo was banned for two
years in 2005-2006.
"Today I felt in good condition and
realized there was a possibility to win," said the 34-year-old.
"I tried to break away a few times and in the middle of the
race, at one point I almost came away but was caught. I am a different
sort of sprinter (from Alberto Loddo) where I do not always wait
at the end for the possibility."
Simon Clarke (SouthAustralia.Com) and Stuart
Shaw (Drapac Porsche) were the early escapees but were caught
at the 30km mark while Jorg Lehmann (Team Ista) fared a little
better before being hauled in prior to the first sprint in Masjid
Tanah which was won by Jeremy Yates (New Zealand).
The first real breakaway occurred after
the first sprint with 37 riders racing ahead. Hondo pressed on
and surged further ahead at the 68km mark and held 22-second lead.He
was closely followed by Jackson Rodriguez (Serramenti PVC), Park
Sung Baek (Seoul Cycling), Mitchell Docker (Drapac Porsche) and
yesterday's stage winner Lee Won Jae (Seoul Cycling).
Team Islamic Azad University did the chasing
to reduce the advantage to under 40-seconds and it was not long
before the front riders were reeled in.A second attack occurred
at the 95km mark before being brought under control just before
the Second Sprint in Melaka Raya which was won by David Garcia
(Karpin Galicia). David George (South Africa) took the Third Sprint
in Muar.
George, Francesco Tomei (CSF Navigare),
Enrico Rossi (NGC Medical) and Clarke went in front for a 1:36
minute lead before the peloton caught them with 15km to go to
set up a bunch finish for the first time in the tour this year.
"It is not easy to do a break away
when you are in the yellow," added Matthiue Sprick of Bouygues
Telecom, who suffered two punctures today. His lead has been slashed
to just one second ahead of Docker from Drapac Porsche.
"We had to keep it safe and keep the
strength for the second last stage (for the climb up Fraser's."
Malaysia's Anuar Manan is still in the sprinter's green jersey
although his lead after the ride today has been cut to just two
points ? in front of Aurlien Clerc from Bouygues Telecom with
30 points."It was difficult for me to go to the front when
at the 1km mark all the riders are together and with the road
being narrow, the blockings only made it harder," added Anuar.
"I am proud that I'm still in the green
although tomorrow, we must try to do better."Completing the
honours for the day was Shinichi Fukushima of the Meitan Hompo
team who is still in the Blue Jersey for the best Asian rider.
<<
BACK
|
