KULAI: Malaysia Pro Cycling's (MPC) versatile Ahmad Syazrin Awang Ilah is determined to make an impact in the final two stages of Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL).
Syazrin, who crossed the line 23rd in the sixth stage from Batu Pahat to Kulai (123.4km) today, was the highest placed Malaysian on the day.
Originally Syazrin's role for MPC was to lead-out Izzat Hilmi Abdul Halil in the bunch sprints but the latter is now out of the tour after finishing out of the time limit (OTL) during the fourth stage.
"Without Izzat, I will just have to try my best for the team in the bunch sprints," said Syazrin today.
"Unfortunately there was no bunch sprint today as the breakaway made it to the finish line.
"The last 10km of the stage was quite narrow and was also rolling (terrain) which made it hard to catch them (breakaway riders).
"Tomorrow (stage seven) will be the longest stage of the tour this year but I believe there is a good chance it will end in a bunch sprint.
"My goal is to make my way to the front early and try and follow the wheel of the top guys during the sprint. It won't be easy but I will try.
"If there is a breakaway, Zulfikri (Zukifli) will try and follow them so we have both (possibilities) covered."
There are no more Malaysian sprinters left in the UCI ProSeries tour as Harrif Saleh (Terengganu Cycling Team) had also suffered an OTL in stage four while Malaysia national team rider Elmi Jumari broke his collarbone and two fingers after crashing in the second stage.
The seventh stage tomorrow will begin in Miri and end in Bintulu. There will be three intermediate sprints at Suai, Nyalau and Kidurong as well as one category four climb in Bintulu.