Positive day for VF Group Bardiani-CSF Faizanè in the queen stage of the Tour de Langkawi. On the uphill finish, after a selective stage that saw the group of favorites reduced kilometer after kilometer, Luca Covili took an excellent 9th place, confirming himself among the most solid climbers and moving up to 8th overall.

Strong performance also from the young Colombian Martin Herreno, who finished 14th.

The stage was marked by an early breakaway of five riders, caught as the final climb began. With three kilometers to go, an attack by Joris Delbove (TotalEnergies)allowed him to solo to victory and take the overall lead.

Tomorrow’s sixth stage of the Tour de Langkawi will cover 123.5 km from Shah Alam to Port Dickinson. A sprint finish is the most likely outcome, though teams will need to stay alert to any developments during the race.

RESULTS:

1  Delbove Joris Team TotalEnergies 03:00:25

2  Johannessen Anders Halland Uno-X Mobility + 02

3  Voisard Yannis Tudor Pro Cycling Team + 02

4  Vinokurov Nicolas XDS Astana Team + 02

5  Maire Adrien Unibet Tietema Rockets + 02

6  Diaz Jose Manuel Burgos Burpellet BH + 02

7  Eiking Odd Christian Unibet Tietema Rockets + 02

8  Bais Davide Team Polti VisitMalta + 02

9  Covili Luca VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè + 02

10 Christophersen Cedrik Bakke Unibet Tietema Rockets + 02

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION:

1  Delbove Joris Team TotalEnergies 16:16:34

2  Johannessen Anders Halland Uno-X Mobility + 06

3  Maire Adrien Unibet Tietema Rockets + 06

4  Voisard Yannis Tudor Pro Cycling Team + 10

5  Christophersen Cedrik Bakke Unibet Tietema Rockets + 11

6  Tercero Fernando Team Polti VisitMalta + 14

7  Vinokurov Nicolas XDS Astana Team + 14

8  Covili Luca VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè + 14

9  Gutiérrez Jorge Equipo Kern Pharma + 14

10 Bais Davide Team Polti VisitMalta + 14