Zahin clinches breakaway win for MPC at Tour of Luzon
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Pro Cycling (MPC) received an early season boost after their rider Zahin Wahhi outkicked his breakaway group peers to win the sixth stage of the MPTC Tour of Luzon in the Philippines today (April 29).
Zahin won the 168 kilometre stage, which started in Clark and ended in Lingayen, in a time of three hours, 31 minutes and 12 seconds.
Local duo Mervin Corpuz (MPT Drive Hub) and Rench Michael Bondoc (7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines) came in second and third in the sprint.
MPC team principal Sayuti Zahit said Zahin played his cards right and was rewarded with the win.
"Zahin joined a breakaway group of about 15 riders roughly 80km into the stage and the whole group worked together," said Sayuti, when contacted in Luzon today.
"Zahin launched his attack roughly 200m from the finish and was able to hold his position until the end.
"Alhamdulillah, this is a positive result for us in our first race of the season. Although this is not a UCI race, quite a number of strong teams are competing here.
"Tomorrow (stage seven) will be the team time trial and to be honest we are not expecting much as we have not brought our time trial bikes here.
"We will, however, be hoping to make an impact in the final stage (stage 8) on Thursday (May 1) which will feature a climb similar to Genting Highlands."
MPC had clinched their first podium finish of the tour during stage three on Saturday (April 26) through Ahmad Syazrin Awang Ilah who placed second.
The UCI continental squad have intentionally started their season slightly later than other teams in a bid to have their riders hit peak performance at Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi (Sept 28-Oct 5) and the Bangkok Sea Games (Dec 7-19). They are expected to race in China next month.
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