Batu Pahat:Spanish cyclist Nil Gimeno Ferrer, representing Equipo Kern Pharma, achieved his first professional career victory in Stage Seven of the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2026. The stage, spanning 158.9 kilometers from Melaka to Batu Pahat, was completed by Gimeno Ferrer in three hours, 12 minutes, and 33 seconds.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Gimeno Ferrer narrowly edged out Mario Aparicio Mu±oz of Burgos-Burpellet-BH, who finished second, and Andrei Stepanov from Wheeltop Rotor Chengdu Team, who came in third. Adne Van Engelen from the Terengganu Cycling Team secured fourth place.
Gimeno Ferrer expressed his surprise at the victory, as his team initially targeted Stage Four for a potential win. Despite expectations of a bunch sprint due to the flat coastal terrain, the four-man escape group, including Gimeno Ferrer, managed to stay ahead of the peloton. He attributed the success to the collective effort of the breakaway riders and his determination to seize the opportunity in the final kilometer.
The win was dedicated to his team management and staff, who supported him during challenging times, as well as a personal acquaintance facing difficulties. Gimeno Ferrer acknowledged the hurdles he faced this season and the significance of this triumph.
Meanwhile, Lennart Jasch from the Tudor Pro Cycling Team maintained his lead in the overall standings, wearing the Orange Jersey with a cumulative time of 24 hours, 51 minutes, and 45 seconds. He leads Abel Balderstone Roumens and Jan Castellon Ribalt from Caja Rural-Seguros RGA by 26 and 42 seconds, respectively.
Matteo Malucelli of XDS Astana Team continues to lead the Points Classification, donning the Blue Jersey with 50 points. Lennart also holds the King of the Mountains Polka Dot Jersey with 45 points, ahead of Petr Rikunov by four points.
In the Best Asian Rider category, Japan's Yuhi Todome from Aisan Racing Team retained the White Jersey, clocking 245906. Malaysian siblings Tsen Ren Han and Tsen Ren Bao are second and third in this category, trailing by five minutes and 25 seconds.
The final stage of the 30th edition of the LTdL will conclude tomorrow, covering 188.3 kilometers from Muar to Putrajaya, with sprints scheduled in Simpang Ampat, Seremban, and Nilai.