PUTRAJAYA: Just three minutes separated St George Continental Cycling Team’s Tsen Ren Bao from reaching his goal of winning the white jersey for best Asian rider at the 30th Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL), which concluded on Sunday (Oct 4).
The 23-year-old completed the eight-stage, 1,285.5km race in 29’08:07. However, it was not enough to dethrone Yuhi Todome of the Aisan Racing Team, who claimed the title with 29’04:23.
Todome, who entered the LTdL following a bronze medal performance at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held the white jersey from Stage 2 on Monday.
Malaysia's Kee Zhe Yie, riding for the Terengganu Cycling Team, finished third with 29’10:21.
“I gave it my all. I’m completely empty now,” said Ren Bao following the grueling 188.3km final stage from Muar to Putrajaya.
“I didn’t get the jersey this year, but I am still proud to finish second. I’ll be back next year with the goal of winning.”
Despite missing out on the jersey, his 25th place finish in the overall general classification marks a significant upward trend in his LTdL career, following a 56th-place debut in 2024 and a 34th-place finish last year.
The climbing specialist excelled in Stage 4 from Meru Raya to Cameron Highlands, where he was the fastest local rider at the summit.
He followed that up as the second-best Malaysian in Stage 5 from Tapah to Genting Highlands, finishing just behind his younger brother, national team rider Tsen Ren Han.
Unfortunately, the 19-year-old Ren Han dropped out of the top three in the best Asian standings on the final day, stopping a Tsen brothers’ second-third podium finish.
“I don’t know what happened to my brother today. He lost third place in the overall standings.
“What sets us apart is experience. This is my third LTdL. I know what to do, when to do it, and how to avoid dangerous moves.
“That’s what helped me, and it’s something he will need to learn.”
Adding to the occasion, Ren Bao’s sister from Melbourne was there to witness his achievement.
“I haven’t seen her in three years. It was great to have her and my father here to support me,” added Ren Bao, whose father is legendary former national cyclist Tsen Seong Hoong.
