Race Favourites:

Holloway	Vantomme	Ciolek
Kupfernagel		Granjel Cabrera

Naud props up the break of the day.

It does not take long for a 6 man break to establish today in Malaysia. Infact the first 6 riders to attack were allowed to get away, the break:

It was a good move by continental teams, Alpina - Avianca and Bank of Ireland – Irish Cycling, to get into the break as there would be few chances to get sponsor exposure on such a day.



Declerq leads the peloton.

Early on Team Puma - SAP were setting much of the pace, would this be the same later on in the stage?


Guliev leads the peloton.

With 120 KM to go, the gap is holding steady to the break at 5'40. It would turn out that 5'40 would be the zenith. Three teams and three teams only are seen of the front of the peloton, they are: BelarusBank Pro Cycling, Mobil - Aeropostal Ciclismo and Team Puma - SAP. Unsurprisingly three teams with the hope of a stage win are setting the pace.

All the other sprinter teams are taking it easy, no doubt waiting to strike later on in the race.


The break receiving plenty of motivation from the fans.

It was great to see plenty of spectators out on the course, with such interest surely this race will become a fixture on the Man Game calendar!


51 KM to go - the break @ 2'20.

Mannion sets a fast pace as we are approaching the important part of the race.


Late attacks out of the bunch!

With 44 KM to go we see Bret and Langeveld attack out of the peloton. The two riders would be quickly taken back, however, this attack might encourage some others to attack.


More attacks with 29 KM to go.

Sutherland and Vanbilsen are the next to attack out of the peloton. The two make more ground than the previous attackers, but are again caught soon after. The same three teams, that have been on the front of the peloton all day long, are still setting the pace.


Last chance for the break of the day.

With 20 KM to go the original break start attacking each other. They are surely going to be caught by the peloton so their attacks will surely not be for the stage win.


12 KM to go - 58 riders dropped!

The fast pace is too much for many with 12 KM to go as 58 riders are dropped from the peloton. There are some big names amongst the dropped riders too.



Castaneda, Forero, Renshaw and Awang are amongst the biggest names dropped, all would have fancied themselves to have at least had a chance at sprinting for a good place. Realising that there is no chance of making it back to the rampaging peloton they all sit up and will ride in at a leisurely pace.


9.3 KM to go - the break @ '33.

Naud, Fritsch and Shirota are all that survive of the original break. They have made a great effort today, but are surely bound to be caught.



BelarusBank Pro Cycling are left to do all of the chasing, fortunately for the other teams, they are willing to do it.

We see Baugnies ride casually towards the front of the peloton, thinking of an attack maybe? No, not today, he thinks better of it.


5 KM to go.

Just as the break are caught we see a massive counterattack from Weiss.


4 KM to go.

Weiss definitely woke up on the right side this morning, he is looking great as he manages to pull out '11 over the 81 man strong peloton. BelarusBank Pro Cycling are still left to do all of the chasing.



BelarusBank Pro Cycling are forced to start their sprint train early, as it is proving really difficult to bring back Weiss.



Hutarovich launches Cavendish.



The race with only hundreds of meters left with Weiss still desperately trying to hang on out-front:

With the road running out only the above mentioned will contest the victory.



Cavendish, after sprinting early, crumbles as Vantomme comes surging through, Ciolek comes from even further back to come alongside Vantomme and is looking good.

With only 100 meters left Weiss is still out-front but it looks like he is about to be heart broken as there is no way he can hold off the fast sprinters coming up.



Weiss, tragically, is caught. Vantomme starts to go backwards. Ciolek charges on.


Win for Team Puma - SAP

Ciolek sprints to an emphatic win in the first edition of the Melaka Governor's Cup. He put in the best sprint today, rewarding the great work of his teammates.

We didn't see anything of Project: Africa today, until the last 100 meters that is. Maksimov surged late on to finish in 2nd, still over two bike lengths behind the race winner.

Holloway came from way way back to finish 3rd, ahead of his heartbroken teammate Weiss who held on galiantly for fourth. Vantomme did fade in the final but holds on for fifth.


Sprint for the minor places.

Nelson edges out Lo Cicero for 10th place.

Today's result will be a hard pill to swallow for BelarusBank Pro Cycling with Cavendish finishing down in 8th. However, they can be buoyed be a great team showing.

Roulston, 19th, was the best placed of the continental riders.

That wraps up the first edition of the Melaka Governor's cup. With late attacks galore, heart-break, a dramatic sprint this race was a good one.

Results: