Matteo Malucelli of XDS-Astana secured his third victory in the 2025 Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi during stage 4, reinforcing his dominance in this year’s race. The Italian sprinter crossed the finish line ahead of Manuel Peñalver from Polti VisitMalta, while Eriend Blikra of UNO-X Mobility claimed third place. This win matches Malucelli’s total from the previous year, marking a remarkable performance by the halfway point of the competition.
The stage, which took place on March 15, 2025, led riders along the picturesque north-east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, offering stunning views of palm-lined beaches. Malucelli’s strategy during the sprint was noteworthy. He described his approach in a post-race media conference, stating, “I started to sprint from the head of the bunch. Normally, I would prefer to follow another team’s sprinter and come from the back.”
His teammate, Lev Gonov, played a crucial role in the final moments of the race. Malucelli elaborated, “Gonov went from 1k to the last corner and when we entered 350 meters to go, [teammate] Gate did the perfect lead out for me, and I did the sprint from the head and I won really well. So I am happy about it.”
The action intensified as the race unfolded, particularly with the late catch of Malaysian champion Aiman Rosli from Terengganu Cycling. Rosli had been the last man standing from an early break of three riders and was recognized as the most combative rider for his efforts.
As the competition continues, Malucelli’s performance sets a high bar for the remaining stages. With three victories already under his belt, he aims to maintain his momentum and further solidify his position in the standings. More updates on the race are expected as the event progresses, promising more thrilling moments for cycling fans worldwide.
