LTdL 2025: Malucelli Wins Stage Three In Photo Finish, Keeps Green Jersey

By Muhammad Zulkarnain Mohd Azman

PASIR PUTEH, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- XDS Astana rider Matteo Malucelli redeemed himself from yesterday’s disappointment by winning Stage Three of the 2025 Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) today in a dramatic photo finish.

The Italian clocked four hours, 28 minutes and 04 seconds (s) over the 197-kilometre (km) route from Gerik to Pasir Puteh, edging out Norwegian legend Alexander Kristoff of Uno-X Mobility, who finished second, while Kristoff’s teammate Erlend Blikra completed the podium in third in another mass finish.

Commenting on the race today Malucelli admitted he did not start well but regained the rhythm towards the end.

“In a race, sometimes situations will favour you. Good situations can happen especially when you win a big race against a champion,” he said after the race today.

For the record this is the second LTdL stage win for the 31-year-old, after triumphing Stage One in Langkawi.

The Stage Three victory enabled Malucelli to retain the Green Jersey (Overall Leader)  and the Orange Jersey (Sprint) for the third consecutive stage.

The White Jersey (Best Asian Rider) changed hands as Terengganu Cycling Team’s (TSG) Vadim Pronskiy took over from his teammate Nur Aiman Rosli.

Meanwhile, the Polka Dot Jersey (King of the Mountains) also changed hands, with Patrick Eddy of Team Picnic PostNL taking the lead after tying on 15 points with Jambaljamts Sainbayar of Burgos-BH.

St George Continental Cycling Team rider Tsen Ren Bao of Malaysia emerged as the Best ASEAN Rider for Stage Three, a category introduced this year in conjunction with the 47th ASEAN Summit hosted by Malaysia.

Stage Four of the 2.Pro status race continues tomorrow over 141.5km, featuring three sprint zones in Marang, Dungun and Paka, as well as a climb zone at Kijal.

-- BERNAMA