There is more than just bunch sprints for Sebastian Molano. After the placements claimed in mass dashes in the previous stages, Team Colombia-Coldeportes’ youngster showed off on the attack in Tour de Langkawi’s stage 5 (Kuala Terengganu – Kuantan 200 Km) characterized by a long-way 8-man attempt.

A strong effort by the escapees allowed them to stay clear until the finale of the longest stage of Malaysian race, and Korean National Champion Joon Yong Seo (KSPO) surprised the fellow escapees with the decisive move with 10 Km to go. Jamalidin Novardiendo (Pegasus) and Muhamad Othman (Terengganu) placed second and third respectively, whilst Molano crossed the finishing line in seventh place. No fears for leader’s jersey holder, Aussie Caleb Ewan (Orica GreenEDGE).

The 8-man action – Molano, Othman (Terengganu), Nakajima (Aisan), Patria Dinawan e Novardianto (Pegasus), Seo (KSPO), Sea Low (Malesia) and Hasnaoui (Skydive Dubai) – started at km 55, after a first hour run at a frantic pace, and didn’t take long to open a significant gap back to the bunch. A 3-man chasing group – Bai Li (Giant Champion System), Ma Guangtong and Wang Bo (Hengxiang) – tried to bridge to the break at a later time, but their attempt was not successful.

“Today’s was a breakaway stage all the way”, Sports Director Valerio Tebaldi explained. “Molano entered the decisive attempt, and he was really strong, but all the escapees knew he is fast, so in the final kilometers the responsibility of the chase fell on his shoulders. Nevertheless, he deserves credit for his effort, while we remain very confident for the next stages”.

The main group came home 13.30 behind, and Leonardo Duque maintained the sixth overall place 0.22 behind Ewan.

Tomorrow, Friday March 13th, the Escarabajos will be at the startline of stage 6 (Maran – Karak 96,6 Km) with a nervous finale.