Kenny Van Hummel (Androni) was one of several sprinters to hit the deck in yesterday's crash-marred bunch sprint in the Tour de Langkawi but today the Dutchman was back in the centre of the action when he finished 5th in the third stage. The team now switches their attention to tomorrow' queen stage where Gianfranco Zilioli, Patrick Facchini, Alessio Taliani, and Carlos Jose Ochoa are expected to shine.

Sprinters are known as tough guys. Their character was evident in today's stage of the Tour de Langkawi that again finished in a bunch sprint.

Yesterday many of the fast men hit the deck in a crash-marred finale but today many of them ignored their injuries and battled it out in another high-speed finish in Kuala Lumpur. One of them was Kenny Van Hummel who was one of the most severely injured yesterday.

The Dutchman who is riding his first season with the Italian team, showed character and determination when he battled through the pain to take 5th in the sprint that was one by another crash victim, Andrea Guardini (Astana).

"Congratulations to all the guys who even in this stage have done a good job," said Team Manager Gianni Savio. "And especially to Kenny Van Hummel who, despite the various injuries, had the courage and the determination to do the final sprint. The team showed a great character. Once again, we have honored the race even if we missed the victory. We'll try again in all the stages."

The team will now turn its attention to tomorrow's queen stage to the Genting Highlands where climbers Gianfranco Zilioli, Alessio Taliani, Patrick Facchini, and Carlos Jose Ochoa are expected to come to the fore.