Askari gives Giant third stage victory

Askari gives Giant third stage victory

The Chinese Taipei-based Giant Asia Racing team took the third consecutive stage win after Iranian Hossein Askari clinched the fastest time over the route between Purwokerto and Yogyakarta in the Tour d'Indonesia on Wednesday.

Hossein covered a hilly and twisting 204.8-kilometer course in five hours, 32 minutes and 55 seconds to leave the pack more than one minute behind.

Indonesian cyclist Nunung Burhanuddin of the Benteng Muda Team and New Zealander Robin Reid of Greenfields Fresh Milk team followed in second and third place respectively.

"The route really sapped my energy because of its hilly and twisting roads from Banjarnegara to Wonosobo. But with a good strategy and being in prime condition, I managed to overcome it and win the third stage," Hossein said as quoted by Antara as saying after the race.

Hossein, who will wear the yellow jersey, is the third Giant rider to win the stage after Paul Griffin triumphed in the opening stage, and compatriot Irish David McCann in the second stage.

Ryan Ariehaan keeps the red-and-white jersey as the most competitive national rider followed by Purwanto and Hari Fitrianto.

Race director Sofian Ruzian said that about 78 riders took part in the third stage, which covered roads encompassing Purwokerto, Wonosobo, Parakan (Temanggung), Magelang and Yogyakarta.

The 135.2-kilometer fourth stage will run from Yogyakarta to Surakarta on Thursday. The nine-stage race will end in Bali on Sept. 21. --JP