Andrea Guardini (Astana) had hoped to add to his impressive tally of stage wins in today's first stage of the Tour de Langkawi and the Italian dutifully won the sprint of the peloton. As the early break had stayed away, however, it was only for 5th and the Italian found little motivation in his sprint triumph.

With 12 stage wins already on his palmares, Andrea Guardini is the most successful rider in the Tour de Langkawi history and today he had another chance to increase his tally when the 2014 edition of the Malaysian race kicked off with a flat stage earlier today. However, there was no glory for the Italian as the 4-rider early breakaway stayed away to the finish.

Guardini had no trouble beating Anuar Manan and Kenny Van Hummel when the peloton arrived at the finish, 1.18 too late, and the Italian's sprint victory was only good enough for 5th. As key rivals like Theo Bos and Francesco Chicchi had all decided not to contest the sprint for the minor placing, Guardini found little pleasure in his sprint triumph.

“We put Danil [Fomiykh] on the front to help chase the breakaway, but they had seven minutes and it was too late," he said.  "I won the group sprint, and I feel good, but some riders didn’t take part. I’m not satisfied because if you are sprinting for a win or if you are sprinting for a place it’s different”

Guardini will get another chance tomorrow as the second stage is another flat affair.