TERENGGANU Cycling Team’s (TSG) Harrif Saleh was left to rue a missed opportunity to win the second stage of the inaugural Tour of Peninsular (ToP).
But he remains confident of bouncing back for the rest of the tour.
The sprint specialist, who came in third in Stage Two yesterday, lamented the general lack of “control” over the race in the first two stages, which were both won via breakaways.
Harrif said it was a case of so near yet so far in Stage Two. However, he believes he is capable of clinching a win if it comes to a bunch sprint finish in the remainder stages.
“It was a very challenging race (yesterday) with the strong winds as well as the breakaway at Kijal (climb) which we did not expect,” Harrif said.
“It has been a tough race for me so far (as a sprinter) as the yellow jersey team (Azerbaijan national team) did not control the peloton, and there have been many chances for the other teams to attack.
“My teammates pulled hard and managed to bring me up to the breakaway group but the win was just out of reach. Of course I am grateful to finish on the podium but my target is to win a stage.
“But we still have another two stages where it is possible and I believe I am capable of winning if we are able to set up a bunch sprint finish.”
Harrif’s best chances will be in the third stage today from Kuantan to Karak which only features one category four climb at Srijaya and possibly the fifth stage from Kuala Lipis to Setiawangsa which features two categorised climbs at Bentong (cat four) and Genting Sempah (cat two).
The fourth stage, which is the queen stage of the tour, from Sungai Koyan to Cameron Highlands will likely see Harrif being part of the ‘gruppetto’ — a large group behind the leading peloton.