An imperial sprint and perfect teamwork, Matteo Malucelli claimed victory in the third stage of the Tour de Langkawi with the finish in Kuala Kangsar, bringing his tally to two wins in the 2026 edition and eight overall. The XDS Astana team rider beat Riley Pickrell (Modern Cycling) at the line, the second-place finisher from the opening stage, and Seppe Van Den Boer (Team Tudor). No changes in the general classification with Lennart Jasch still leading.

THE RACE. Another great opportunity at the Tour de Langkawi where the third stage was contested from Sungai Petani to Kuala Kangsar. The almost 190 kilometers of racing were characterized not by particular altitude difficulties but rather by the intense heat and humidity, factors typical of this part of the world but not what European riders are accustomed to.

As expected, a breakaway formed just a few kilometers after the official start, with local riders showing the most determination to attack. Of the six-man group that formed at the front, all six riders were Malaysian nationals. Muhammad Nur Aiman Mohd Zariff (Terengganu Cycling Team), Mervin Corpuz (7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines), Muh Imam Arifin (Nusantara Cycling Team), Muhammad Adam Danish Afdzalb (Malaysia Pro Cycling), Jian Le Chan and Muhammad Yusri Shaari (Malaysian national team) managed to gain a maximum advantage of 6 minutes over the main group where XDS Astana immediately set to work to control the situation. The Kazakh team led by Matteo Malucelli, already winner of the first stage, was well supported by Team Tudor with general classification leader Lennart Jasch. Alessio Delle Vedove did incredible work again today and for many kilometers we saw him setting the pace at the front of the peloton.

Imam Arifin was the last to resist at the front of the race and 15 kilometers from the finish was caught by Mongolian rider Bold Iderbold. The main group, always guided by XDS Astana, regrouped 8 kilometers from the finish.

In the final phases of the race, great work was done by Team Unibet Rose Rockets who maintained a strong pace that forced the Kazakh team to quickly chase back up to the group. Thanks to the lead-out train formed by Aaron Gate and Gleb Syritsa, Matteo Malucelli managed to position himself in the best possible position to contest the sprint. This is his second victory in this edition of the Tour de Langkawi which allows him to increase his advantage in the special points classification.

Tomorrow in Malaysia will once again be the moment for the climbers, the fourth stage, 143.3 kilometers long, will depart from Meru Raya to arrive in Cameron Highlands, one of the symbolic climbs of the Tour de Langkawi. Lennart Jasch will start with the leader's jersey with a 20-second advantage over Abel Balderstone and 38 seconds over Jan Castellon.

STAGE RESULTS

1 Malucelli Matteo XDS Astana Team 34:31:59

2 Pickrell Riley Modern Adventure Pro Cycling ,,

3 Van Den Boer Seppe Tudor Pro Cycling Team ,,

4 Augé Ronan Unibet Rose Rockets ,,

5 Abdul Halil Mohamad Izzat Hilmi Malaysia Pro Cycling ,,

6 Marcerou Nicola TotalEnergies ,,

7 Gaviria Fernando Caja Rural - Seguros RGA ,,

8 Álvarez Rodrigo Burgos Burpellet BH ,,

9 Villar Iker Caja Rural - Seguros RGA ,,

10 Cavia Daniel Burgos Burpellet BH ,,

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1 Jasch Lennart Tudor Pro Cycling Team 12:16:03

2 Balderstone Abel Caja Rural - Seguros RGA 0:20

3 Castellon Jan Caja Rural - Seguros RGA 0:38

4 Díaz José Manuel Burgos Burpellet BH 1:14

5 Christophersen Cedrik Bakke Unibet Rose Rockets 1:15

6 Fougner Eivind Broholt Unibet Rose Rockets 1:16

7 Gaffuri Mattia Team Picnic PostNL 1:23

8 Le Berre Mathis TotalEnergies 1:36

9 Gutiérrez Jorge Equipo Kern Pharma 1:41

10 Bregnhøj Mathias Terengganu Cycling Team 1:46