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