Prior to the Tour de Langkawi, Ryan Gibbons was a relatively unknown name in the wider world of cycling. While his Dimension Data teammates were well aware of his capabilities, the 22-year-old South African is showcasing his wares to the general public as the current star attraction in Malaysia due his consistent results and status as race leader.
A day after his climb up Cameron Highlands to save the yellow jersey, Gibbons sprinted to his first professional win in Kuala Kubu Bhara, while wearing the leader's yellow jersey no less.
"Really, really great to get off the mark and so grateful," Gibbons told Cyclingnews of his victory. "I had belief in myself, the team had belief in me, Oli my DS had belief in me, and I think they said it was always a matter of time."
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The stage win was Dimension Data's second in as many day's after Mekseb Debesay won the queen stage and continues the African team's love affair with success at the race.
While in previous years at the Tour de Langkawi, Andrea Guardini has asserted his dominance and got on a winning run, the sprinters in this year's race are taking turns to raise their arms in triumph. Second on stage 1, third on stages 2 and 4, Gibbons had been the most consistent rider at the halfway mark of the race but was desperate for a win. On stage 5, his stars aligned and he crossed the line in first place
"From the start, getting second on stage 1 was an achievement but today was a sense of relief more than anything and just so happy to get the win for the team and also for myself. The first of my career so a very good day today," he said.
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