KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Pro Cycling (MPC) continue to make waves in the Tour of Thailand with their rider Izzat Hilmi Abdul Halil clinching the Sprint Leader's Green Jersey in stage 5 today.
In a display of skill and determination, MPC secured third, fourth, and fifth placings through Zulfikri Zulkifli, Syawal Mazlin and Fahmi Khairul respectively in the 156km race from Phitsanulok to Phichit.
Nati Samansanti of Grant Thornton Cycling (GTC) won the stage after crossing the finish line in three hours, 24 minutes and 33 seconds, while China Glory Continental Cycling Team (CGC)'s Yutao Chen finished second.
The highlight of the day came from Izzat who won the Green Jersey with 32 points. Roojai Insurance's Lucas Carstensen and Adne van Engelen were second and third respectively with 31 and 28 points.
MPC manager Sayuti Zahit said:
"I'm so proud of the team members. This is the new era of Malaysian cycling, and they are the future of Malaysia's cycling scene.''
Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) came in second in the stage while 7Eleven Cliqq Road Bike Philippines were third.
Dutchman van Engelen retained the overall leader's yellow jersey in the individual classification with a nine-second lead over Thailand Continental Cycling Team's Thanakhan Chaiyasombat and TSG's Anatolii Budiak was third (+12).