BINTULU: Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi's (LTdL) Asian classification champion Manabu Ishibashi has praised Malaysian riders for their tenacity during the tour which concluded on Sunday.
Manabu said he was impressed with Malaysian riders for their never-say-die attitude.
The JCL Team Ukyo rider won the white jersey on a combined time of 26 hours, 30 minutes and two seconds. His teammate Yuma Koishi came in second (+2:41) while Aisan Racing Team's Keigo Kusaba (+2:45s) was third. All three are from Japan.
"Malaysia has some very good riders and for LTdL they had very strong motivation to do well as it was their home race," said the Japanese rider.
"They are quite strong and they are always trying, trying and trying (to attack or get into breakaways). They don't give up.
"It is the same for track cycling, Malaysian riders are very strong."
Malaysian riders such as Nur Aiman Zariff, Nur Aiman Rosli (both Terengganu Cycling Team), Ren Bao Tsen, Afiq Huznie Othman, Yusri Shaari (all national team) and Zulfikri Zulkifli from Malaysia Pro Cycling were all in the breakaways at some point during the tour.
Aiman Rosli also took charge of the white jersey during the second and third stages while Aiman Zariff was awarded the Most Combative Rider award during the seventh stage.