Terengganu Polygon Cycling Team (TSG) sprinter Harrif Saleh can just do no wrong at the moment.
The 33-year-old snatched another well-calculated win at the Tour of Thailand — this time in the 176-kilometre fourth stage, which started in Sakhon Nakhon and ended in Nakhon Phanom, yesterday.
It was a relatively long stage though the absence of any categorised climbs meant a bunch sprint finish was inevitable.
Remnants of the breakaway were mopped up by the peloton in the closing stages.
Harrif hit the line first, winning in four hours, three minutes and 47 seconds, just half a wheel ahead of Team Ukyo's Raymond Kreder.
Bike Aid's Lucas Carstensen completed the podium.
TSG lead-out man Irwandie Lakasek crossed the line fifth, while teammates Nur Aiman Zariff, Metkel Eyob, Shahrul Mat Amin and Nur Amirull Fakhruddin Mazuki finished out of the top-30.
It was Harrif's third podium finish in the Tour of Thailand this year as he had also won stage three and second in the opening stage.
He is now third in the sprinters' classification with 46 points. Alan Banaszek (HRE Mazowsze Serce Polski) leads the green jersey competition with 59 points, while Kreder (55 points) is second.
The Kuala Terengganu-born was grateful to secure yet another win.
"This is my second stage win at the Tour of Thailand this year, and it is very meaningful as we are already in the month of Ramadan," said Harrif.
"I am grateful for this win, which is a result of all the efforts we had put in as a team.
"My target is to continue finishing on the podium. I will try my best."
Teammate Aiman (14:18:19s) continues to lead the Asean classification albeit with a marginal advantage.
The top-nine riders in the class are only split by one second.
Kreder (14:17:58s) is still the overall leader with a six-second advantage over second-placed Banaszek.
Meiyo CCN Pro Cycling Team's Cyrus Monk (+15s) is third overall in the general classification.
The fifth stage today, which starts and ends in Nakhon Phanom, covers 163km and is also relatively flat in profile.