KUALA LUMPUR, March 6, 2010 (AFP) – Venezuelan Jose Rujano Guillen Saturday conquered the cruel slopes of the Genting Highlands to win the sixth stage of the Tour de Langkawi and capture the overall lead.
Rujano won the 102.80-kilometre (about 64 miles) ride from Putrajaya to the resort of Genting Highlands in three hours, four minutes and 21 seconds.
The ride up Genting Highlands with its steep hills is considered an extremely difficult grade of climb.
South Korean Hyo Suk Gong of Seoul Cycling took second place.
Saturday’s results led to major changes in the race standings. Rujano dethroned German’s Tobias Erler, who had led the overall standing on Friday.
The seven-stage race began in Kota Bharu, capital of the northern state of Kelantan on Monday. The final race will be from Kuala Kubu Baru to the capital Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
By the end of the event on March 7, the 20 teams taking part will have covered 1,013.7 kilometers and six states.
Top 10 places in Stage 6:
1. José Rujano Guillen (VEN/ISD-Neri) 3hr 04min 21sec, 2 Hyo Suk Gong (KOR/Seoul Cycling) 3hr 06min 30sec, 3. Hossein Askari (IRI/Tabriz Petrochemical Cycling) 3hr 06min 57sec, 4.Peter McDonald (AUS/Drapac Porsche
Cycling) 3hr 07min 43sec, 5. Amir Zargari (IRI/Azad University Iran) s.t. 6.
Alexandr Shushemoin (KAZ/Kazakhstan National Team) 3hr 08min 48sec, 7.
Matthias Brandle (AUT/Footon-Servetto) 3hr 9min 13sec 8. Markus Eibegger
(AUT/Footon-Servetto) s.t., 9. Ghader Mizbani (IRI/Tabriz Petrochemical
Cycling) 3hr 09min 23sec, 10. Ahad Kazemi (IRI/Tabriz Petrochemical Cycling) 3hr 09min 57sec
Top 10 places overall:
1. José Rujano Guillen (VEN/ISD-Neri) 21hr 06min 58sec, 2. Hyo Suk Gong (KOR/Seoul Cycling) 21hr 09min 05sec, 3. Hossein Askari (IRI/Tabriz Petrochemical Cycling) 21hr 09min 40sec, 4. Peter McDonald (AUS/Drapac Porsche
Cycling) 21hr 10min 19sec, 5. Amir Zargari (IRI/Azad University Iran) 21hr 10min 22sec, 6. Alexandr Shushemoin (KAZ/Kazakhstan National Team) 21hr 11min 30sec, 7. Markus Eibegger (AUT/Footon-Servetto) 21hr 11min 52sec, 8. Matthias Brandle (AUT/Footon-Servetto) 21hr 11min 56sec, 9. Ghader Mizbani (IRI/Tabriz Petrochemical Cycling 21hr 12min 10sec, 10. Ahad Kazemi (IRI/Tabriz Petrochemical Cycling) 21hr 12min 44sec