Danieal Haikkal Edy Suhaidee hopes his podium finish on the opening day of the Tour of Peninsular (ToP) will be the start of bigger things to come in his career.
Crossing the line third in Kuala Terengganu yesterday, behind stage winner Elchin Asadov (Azerbaijan) and second-placed Christian Raileanu (Team Sapura Cycling), allowed Danieal to take charge of the Asian classification jersey.
Vino-Astana Motors’ Igor Chzhan was fourth.
The national team rider said he was determined to make an impact going into the race.
“My target was to achieve something (special) in this race, and I felt physically good today (yesterday),” said the 21-year-old yesterday.
“It was a very tough and aggressive race from the start as many were looking to take a jersey.
“The crosswinds during the coastal sections also took its toll and there were signs of fatigue in the peloton in the latter stages of the race.
“At roughly 25 kilometres to go, there was a group of riders who attacked, and I joined them. There were six riders in the breakaway at first, and this went down to four (with Asadov, Raileanu, Chzhan) by 15km to the finish.
“I am glad I managed to hang in there and finish on the podium.”
The Johor-born, who focused on track endurance events in previous seasons, is hoping to ride for a foreign team one day.
“This is the first time I have won a stage in a tour, and it’s a UCI2.1 event,” said Danieal.
“It’s just the start for me, and it definitely gives me added motivation to do well and further my (road) career.
“It has always been my dream to finish on the podium and hopefully one day I will be able to ride for a foreign team.”
RESULTS:
Stage One — Dungun to Kuala Terengganu, 180.6km: 1 Elchin Asadov, Azerbaijan 3:57:26s; 2 Christian Raileanu (MDA), Team Sapura Cycling; 3 Danieal Haikkal Edy Suhaidee, Malaysia; 4 Igor Chzhan (Kaz), Vino-Astana Motors — all same time; 5 Charalampos Kastrantas (Gre), Brunei Continental Cycling Team +22s.
General classification: 1 Elchin Asadov 3:57:16s; 2 Christian Raileanu +4s; 3 Danieal Haikkal Edy Suhaidee +6s; 4 Igor Chzhan +10s; 5 Rohan Du Plooy (South Africa), Protouch +26s.
Asian classification: 1 Danieal Haikkal Edy Suhaidee 3:57:22s; 2 Igor Chzhan +4s; 3 Nur Aiman Zariff (Mas) Team Sapura Cycling +23s.
Points classification: 1 Rohan Du Plooy 18; 2 Elchin Asadov 16; 3 Mario Vogt (Ger), Team Sapura Cycling 14.
Mountains classification: 1 Aiman Cahyadi (Ind), PGN Road Cycling team 4; 2 Nur Aiman Zariff 2; 3 William Hodges (Aus), Oliver's Real Food Racing 1.