Van Der Ploeg claims TOB first stage for maiden Uci Asia tour win

Australia's Paul Van Der Ploeg overcame the scorching heat along the 112km route from Kota Kinabalu to Tuaran to win the first stage of the 2013 Tour of Borneo, here today. The Australian rider also had to compete fiercely with Malaysian rider, Mohammad Saufi Mat Senan of Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) towards the chequered flag. Van Der Ploeg clocked two hours, 40 minutes and 45 seconds and Mohd Saufi was left behind just a mere 0.04 seconds. "It was a very satisfying finish for me...it was my first stage win in the UCI Asia Tour race. "The race towards the finishing line was super fast. I managed to be in the front group after the second climb (at Tenghilan II). The climb was quite stiff and I'm pretty tired...my legs almost cramped but I just gave everything that I had," said the delighted Australian rider, who also gave Team Corbusier, a Sarawak-based team, their first stage win. After the second climb, Van Der Ploeg was left alone by his team mates to be in the front group. "The climb was very hard and the weather was extremely hot. I came from winter in Australia and it feels like I'm inside an oven. After the climb, my teammates were left behind and it was only me in the front group. I just fought for a position. It was a very tight bunch sprint at the finishing line," he added. Besides winning the first stage, Van Der Ploeg also claimed the Yellow Jersey as the current leader and the Green Jersey when he topped the sprint competition with 15 points. Meanwhile, Mohammad Saufi, the runner-up in today's competition, claimed the Blue Jersey as the best Asian rider. "It was good to have a podium finish after about two months rest from any competition. To claim the jersey was also a bonus for me. I will have my team mates help me out to retain the jersey in the next race," he said. The Philippines' national top climber, Junrey A. Navarra of LBC-MVPSF Cycling Filipinas took the Red Jersey (King of the Mountain Competition). Tomorrow's second stage 189.5km race from Tanjung Aru to Papar, would be the favourite for the sprinters as there are three sprint zones on offer at Papar, Membakut and Kuala Penyu. However, riders have to overcome a single category four climb at Kawang, 24.5km after the race starts.