Patrick Eddy Claims King of the Mountains Jersey at Le Tour de Langkawi

Australian cyclist Patrick Eddy achieved an unexpected victory by securing the King of the Mountains jersey at the Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi. Starting the day, few anticipated that Eddy would stand on the podium, especially as the stage was designed to challenge sprinters with three categorized climbs within the first 66 kilometers. Despite this, he emerged as a frontrunner, illustrating both determination and strategy.

Eddy, riding for Picnic Post NL, initially joined a breakaway group following the first categorized climb. He was joined by fellow riders Daniel Whitehouse from St George, Cedrik Bakke Christophersen from Unibet Rockets, and Jambaljamts Sainbayar from Burgos BH. Reflecting on this moment, Eddy remarked, “I was just trying to make the climb a bit tougher, and ended up in the breakaway,” during an interview with Cyclingnews.

Eddy’s performance throughout the stage was commendable. He quickly earned three points for his position on the initial category 3 climb. Although he considered dropping back at one point, he was encouraged by his team director to continue pushing forward. Eddy’s experience from his recent participation in the Vuelta a España provided him with the confidence to tackle the climbs, despite the challenging pace set by competitors.

As the race progressed, Eddy successfully collected points on the second category 2 ascent and secured ten points on the final category 1 climb, bringing his total to 15 points. This achievement earned him the climber’s jersey, putting him in a tight competition with Sainbayar, who also finished with 15 points.

Eddy’s ambitions do not end with the climber’s jersey. He expressed hopes of maintaining his lead in the competition, stating, “We also hoped to stay away until those bonus sprints, and maybe collect some points and some time.” He referred to the upcoming category 1 climb at Fraser’s Hill on stage 5, indicating his intent to remain competitive.

The 22-year-old rider emphasized the significance of this opportunity, particularly as he currently lacks a contract for the upcoming season. “I haven’t had too many opportunities to sprint and go for my own result,” he noted. This stage was a chance for him to showcase his abilities and potentially secure a position for the following year.

Despite the added focus on the King of the Mountains jersey, Eddy remains committed to pursuing sprint victories. He acknowledged the unique challenges posed by the sprints at Le Tour de Langkawi, particularly the differences compared to European races. “They’re quite different to the ones we’re used to in Europe,” he explained, referring to the late lead-outs and wide roads typically seen in the region.

Eddy’s team, Picnic Post NL, faces challenges as they compete against well-established squads like XDS-Astana, Tudor Pro Cycling, and Uno-X Mobility. Starting the race with just five riders, the team has already faced setbacks, yet their motivation remains high. Eddy’s remarks encapsulated this drive: “I don’t have a job for next year, so yeah, I’m here chasing some big results to just show myself to the cycling world.”

As the season draws to a close, Eddy’s determination to secure significant results reflects the competitive spirit that defines professional cycling. Despite not yet achieving the results he desires, he remains hopeful for what lies ahead. “It’s the end of the season, and I always say it’s all between the ears. In October, it’s all about who really wants it still at this point of the year,” he concluded, reinforcing his commitment to the sport and his future within it.