LTdL 2026: Malucelli claims top spot despite crash in final

KAMPAR, SHAH ALAM, TAIPING, KUALA LUMPUR, GUNUNG JERAI, TERENGGANU, 27 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

Italian sprinter Matteo Malucelli secured overall and sprints leadership in the opening stage of Le Tour de Langkawi 2026 (LTdL26) after a dramatic victory from Shah Alam to Kampar, finishing in 4:06:53 despite crashing the day before.

Malucelli, riding for XDS Astana Team, won the 193km sprint stage ahead of Riley Pickrell (Modern Adventure Pro Cycling) and Fernando Gaviria (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), both of whom matched his time in second and third. His victory also earned him the overall GC (General Classification) yellow jersey and the blue sprints jersey, with 15 points—three more than Pickrell’s 12 and Gaviria’s nine.

The triumph came just 24 hours after Malucelli crashed during a training session in Shah Alam, fracturing his hand. An X-ray confirmed no serious breakage, allowing him to race. "I wasn’t sure if I’d won at first," he said post-race. "Instinct told me yes, but I had to check the finish photos—last year we had a late shock. Winning after yesterday’s crash proves my body responded well."

Malucelli’s win marks his 23rd career professional title, following his recent victory at China’s Tour of Taihu Lake. He credited his team’s early pace control, praising Gleb Syritsa, Aaron Gate, and Lev Gonov for setting up the sprint. "The team did an incredible job from the start," he said. "The final climb was tough, but I gave it everything."

In other classifications, Petr Rikunov (China Development Team) leads the King of the Mountains (polka-dot jersey) with four points, while Terengganu Cycling Team’s Muhammad Nur Aiman Rosli tops the Best Asian Rider (white jersey) category, matching Malucelli’s stage time. Stage 2, starting in Taiping and climbing Gunung Jerai (145.6km), will test climbers’ endurance.