Matteo Malucelli Wins Stage 1 of Le Tour de Langkawi in Photo Finish

Matteo Malucelli (XDS-Astana) sprinted to victory in Kampar to claim the opening stage of the 30th edition of Le Tour de Langkawi. The win allowed the rider to reassert his sprint prowess at a race where he secured three stage victories last year.

Malucelli's victory came after a tight battle with Riley Pickrell (Modern Adventure). Pickrell launched his sprint early, but Malucelli managed to close the gap just in time to cross the finish line ahead of his rival in the Perak township. Fernando Gaviria (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) secured third place.

The triumph was particularly impressive as Malucelli had crashed just a day before the race and was competing with banged-up hands. The stage finished in Kampar, a township known for its tin mining past and set against a backdrop of forested hills.