Stage One winners (l-r) Michael Torckler (PureBlack Racing), Shinichi Fukushima (Terengganu Cycling Team) and Hari Fitrianto ( Polygon Sweet Nice). :: PureBlack Racing

Michael Torcker races to 2nd position at Jelajah Malaysia. :: PureBlack Racing

PureBlack Racing’s Michael Torckler has continued his strong form on the bike with a 2nd place finish on the first stage of Jelajah Malaysia 2012.

A week shy of winning the inaugural Tour of Borneo, Torckler saw himself in a breakaway which stuck to the end of the 161.5km stage from Merdeka Stadium to Bandar Baru Kampar.

Torckler said, “The first hill climb felt much harder than a category one, but once Louis got up in the breakaway it gave us options, I looked for a small group within the last 10km and lined it up for the sprint.”

PureBlack Racing Director Sportif, John Harris said, “We couldn’t wish for anything better, the peloton couldn’t bring the breakaway back, and we capitalised on it.”

The stage was won by Japanese vetran, 40-year-old Shinichi Fukushima of the local favourite Terengganu Cycling Team, with a time of 3:50:38, with Torckler hot on his wheel.

Genesys Wealth Advisors, did not have a prominent day on the bike, with the Australian team allowing the breakaway stretch a eight-minute lead at one point, and doing little work in the peloton to bring it back.

It is going to be a tough six-day tour for PureBlack Racing after the huge effort they put into the Tour of Borneo, which finished just a week ago. “Our bodies are still pretty tired and feeling a bit sluggish, but we will ride into it – it is going to be a massive week,” said Torckler.

The 201.8km second stage, the longest stage of the tour this year, runs from Kampar to Kulim in Kedah.  The UCI 2.2 class Jelajah Malaysia 2012, 8 – 13 May, covers a total distance of 1023.5 kilometres.

For more on Jelajah Malaysia 2012 see http://www.jelajahmalaysia.com.my/

MULTISPORT
Multisport festival attracting athletes of all descriptions
Inspirational comebacks, elite stars, national champions, first-timers and fun-chasing families  - this year's Thermatech 3D Rotorua Multisport Festival has got it all.

Thursday, 23 May 2013

RUNNING
2013 Nauti Travel Huntly Half Marathon
The 2013 Nauti Travel Huntly Half Marathon is once again taking place this Sunday for the 33rd time in what has become a race rich in history and 2013 provides much the same.

Thursday, 23 May 2013

RUNNING
Christchurch Airport Marathon - Return of the Champions
A healthy handful of past winners will go head to head at next week’s Christchurch Airport Marathon event.

Thursday, 23 May 2013

RUNNING
20th birthday celebrations set for iconic Taupo event
On Sunday 4th August a special birthday party will be taking to the streets of Taupo and everyone is invited!  The annual Mizuno Taupo Half Marathon will be celebrating its 20th birthday.

Wednesday, 22 May 2013

MOUNTAIN BIKING
Young North Canterbury rider top 10 in Mountain Bike World Cup
Young North Canterbury mountain biker Ben Oliver had an impressive start to his international career with a top-10 finish in the opening round of the UCI World Cup.

Tuesday, 21 May 2013

CYCLING
Archbold scores first win for new pro team
BikeNZ Olympian Shane Archbold has taken no time to strike for his new professional team with victory in stage two of the An Post Ras Tour of Ireland today.

Tuesday, 21 May 2013

TRIATHLON
Bozzone bounces back with race record win in Florida
The 2008 IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion Terenzo Bozzone has put his injury problems behind him with a comeback win in Florida today.

Monday, 20 May 2013

BMX
Walker excited as tickets go on sale for UCI BMX World Championships in Auckland
Fans will get their first chance to see the best BMX riders on the planet when Auckland hosts the 2013 UCI BMX World Championships on 24-28 July.

Monday, 20 May 2013

RUNNING
Camille Buscomb on track to qualify for 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
From Hamilton, Camille Buscomb is New Zealand’s leading female middle-distance athlete.

Monday, 13 May 2013

MOUNTAIN BIKING
Brook MacDonald 2013 The Search for Scree
New Zealand Downhill Mountain Bike Champion Brook MacDonald searches for some new and challenging scree.

Monday, 13 May 2013

TRIATHLON
Sisson looking for swim solutions to back his blistering run speed
Ryan Sissons knows what he is capable of and his 10km run split at the ITU World Triathlon Series race in Yokohama yesterday again hinted at it, but the 24 year old Aucklander is again cooling his heels after a less than satisfactory swim.

Monday, 13 May 2013

TRIATHLON
McIlroy holds on for top ten on a 'flat day' in Yokohama
Kate McIlroy made the most of a bad day at the office when finishing 9th at the latest round of the ITU World Triathlon Series in Yokohama today, a result that leaves the Wellington athlete 7th in the overall series standings after three races.

Sunday, 12 May 2013

Endurance Sport news is powered by infonews.co.nz