Luca Chirico (Bardiani) delivered a solid and comforting performance when he finished 6th in stage 3 of the Tour de Langkawi in Malaysia. The young puncheur of the Green Team held onto the best on a demanding climb in the first part of the stage and then sprinted to 6th in Tanah Merah.

The stage was decided already after 60km where only 25 riders remained in the leading group after a category 1 climb, including Luca Chirico. In the second part, almost completely flat, the small peloton caught the early breakaway and went to sprint for the victory.

The win was taken by Australian Caleb Ewan (Orica – GreenEdge) who beat Reguigui (MTN) and Duque (Colombia). Chirico crossed the line immediately behind them in a good 6th position.

It was a positive result which allows him to go up in the general classification. In fact the Bardiani – CSF rider is 11th, 22 seconds behind leader Ewan.

The team had rather negative news about Paolo Simion. Suffering since the first days from stomach problems and flu, he struggled in the first two stages and today he had to give up and abandon the race.

”It was a hard stage with fast pace from the start," Chirico said. "On the principal climb where there was a big selection, I felt good legs and no problems to follow the best. In the second part Orica that had Ewan in front, managed the tempo and went to catch the breakaway. We arrived all together inside the last km. There was some chaos in the sprint but at the end I was able to get a good result that give me morale for the next days. About the general classification, without the Genting Highlands climb and a new one less steep climb, my chance for a good result are increased."

”Luca did a really good race," sports director Mirko Rossato said. "Since the opening stage he proved to be brilliant, improving every day. He’s not a the peak of his condition but he’s already competitive in this kind of race. Today I think I did the best result possible , looking that some sprinters like Ewan, Feillu and Duque were in the leading group with him. He’s fast but not fast enough to compete with this kind of riders. Anyway he achieved a good 6th place with a smart attitude."