BANTING, Oct 3 (Bernama) -- Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) orange jersey holder and leader Matteo Malucelli of the XDS Astana Team failed to finish Stage Six from Shah Alam to Port Dickson today after being involved in a crash.
The Italian rider was forced to withdraw from the race following the accident at the 16.5km mark, which occurred under rainy conditions.
The crash also involved several other riders, including Erland Blikra of the Uno-X Mobility team, but the Norwegian rider could continue the race.
As a result, Malucelli has been forced to skip the remaining two stages.
Malucelli had earlier won the First Stage (around Langkawi Island), Third Stage (Gerik-Pasir Puteh) and Fourth Stage (Kuala Terengganu-Kemaman) of this season’s LTdL.
XDS Astana Team sports director Mark Renshaw confirmed that Malucelli will not continue the race due to injuries in his lower left leg.
“The doctor will do an X-ray to determine the severity of the injury. What is confirmed is that he is already out of the race,” he said.
Meanwhile, LTdL chief operating officer Emir Abdul Jalal described the withdrawal of the 31-year-old Italian rider as a huge loss for the 29th edition of the race.
“He was the Orange Jersey champion last season and has already won three stages this year. But to remain in contention for the jersey, a rider must complete all eight stages.
“So Malucelli’s points are automatically void,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
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