Theo Bos was again one of the major favourites when the sixth stage of the Tour de Langkawi came down to a bunch sprint but the Dutchman got boxed in and failed to make it into the top 10. After yesterday's failure, however, the team was happy to receive more help in the chase behind the ealry breakaway.

Rival teams at the Tour de Langkawi apparently heard the message of Belkin Pro Cycling Team’s Sports Director Michiel Elijzen. After a break held on in stage five yesterday, it was a different story in stage six. Other teams worked and brought the stage to a bunch sprint, won by Kenny Van Hummel (Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela). Bos placed 13th. 

"It was a straightforward sprint and without real control of any of the teams, it was quite chaotic,” said Bos, winner of stage two. “I got boxed in which prevented me from sprinting.” 

Elijzen hoped for more, as well, but at least he was happy to see that the competition wanted to cooperate in chasing the leaders in the 199-kilometre stage from Melaka to Pontian. It gave him some confidence for the next few days. 

“Today we received more support and that was good to see,” said Elijzen. “The breakaway was formed after 80 kilometres of proper racing and so the attackers were already a bit tired. It helped the peloton to keep the breakaway within reach. We will not give up on our hope to win another stage. I’m confident that Theo is going to score again.” 

Maybe Bos can nick his win in tomorrow’s stage seven, when the peloton covers the longest ride of the week, 230 kilometres from Kota Tinggi to Pekan.