Aidis Kruopis (Orica-GreenEDGE) took his fifth top 4 result in the race when he sprinted to 3rd in today's 9th and penultimate stage of the Tour de Langkawi. With so many near-misses, his team is now getting a bit frustrated and hope that they will finally get everything right in tomorrow's final stage.

Aidis Kruops sprinted to third on the penultimate stage of the Tour de Langkawi. He adds the result to his pair of second places and a pair of fourth places. Although he has yet to snag the coveted stage win, Kruopis tops the points classification leader board because of his consistent results.

“It’s a little frustrating – these constant seconds and thirds and fourths,” said Sport Director Matt Wilson. “We’ve been discussing at length what do and whether or not it’s worth trying to change the game plan, but we’re all pretty convinced that what we’re doing is the right thing – it’s just a matter of getting it right.”

“We have a strange mix of riders here,” said Wilson. “We have guys coming back from injury and guys focused on the overall classification and a huge range of experience amongst our six rider squad. The sprints have been a big challenge for us. I have confidence in the team, and the team has confidence in Aidis. We have one last chance to get it right tomorrow.”

A two rider break dominated the early action of the 111 kilometre day. Carlos Quintero (Colombia) and Yonnatta Monsalve (Yellow Fluo) joined forces up the road. The duo represented a threat to the overall lead of Mirsamad Poorseyedigolakhour (Tabriz Petrochemical) with Quintero at 1’46 in 11th place and Monsalve one spot further back at 2’14.

“There was a bit of attacking at the beginning, but it didn’t last long,” said Wilson. “The two guys that went up the road are on the general classification. It was perfect for us because it meant Tabriz would ride on the front again all day.”

Tabriz kept the two leaders on a short leash, never allowing them more than a two minute advantage. Towards the end of the stage, Astana and Androni Gioattoli moved to the head of affairs to assist in the last bit of work needed to shut down the breakaway. Twelve kilometres from the finish, Quintero and Monsalve were back in the bunch.

A crash once again disrupted the sprint as a number of riders hit the ground, and many more were caught behind the carnage. While the ORICA-GreenEDGE riders escaped the incident unscathed, Kruopis lost all but Brett Lancaster as his lead-out.

“We’ve been very lucky with crashes this week,” said Wilson. “We weren’t involved at all today, but the guys were impeded by the crash, which really impacted our chances in the sprint. We hadn’t done any work all day, so the guys were really fresh. They were ready to pounce. Everyone was lined up when the crash happened right in front of them. Aidis and Brett were the only ones to make it through in the front group.”

“There was a big crash in the last 2km and we nearly crashed, we split after that and I was kind of on my own. I jumped a little bit in the front, behind Theo Bos, on the roundabout,” Kruopis told Cyclingnews at the finish. “I stayed there till the end almost. In the last 700, Lancaster came to me and made a little bit more space for me but I started my sprint a little bit early, from 350, because there was that crazy corner in the end. I wanted to start first, but unfortunately I wasn’t strong enough to keep the pace.”

“I was looking for victories, but it’s also nice to wear the jersey. Every day is one more chance. You know how it goes in the sprints, so I will try every day. I will try to do another sprint tomorrow and keep the jersey. I am not going to go for the intermediate sprints, just in the final.”

Kruopis confirmed that he will be making his grand tour debut in the Giro d'Italia where he will be the lead sprinter. Despite the presence of Michael Matthews, Matt Goss, and Leigh Howard on the team, he has no intention of finding a new home.

“We have a lot of sprinters but also a lot of qualities and different sprinters, more guys who can climb. I am more a guy who is better in the flat, so if it is a flat stage then almost every time it is for me.”

Theo Bos (Belkin) took his third straight stage win, his fourth of the Malaysian Tour. Guardini was second across the line, and Kruopis rounded out the podium. Despite the crash, Esteban Chaves finished on bunch time. He retains his firm hold on fourth overall, 20” behind race leader Poorseyedigolakhour.