Nishitani secures third stage to take lead from Tonton

Wahyoe Boediwardhana ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Batu, East Java   |  Sat, 04/05/2008 12:43 PM  |  Sports

GOING EAST: Cyclists pedal past during the 90-kilometer third stage of the Tour de East Java in Batu on Friday. (JP/Wahyoe Boediwardhana)

Taiji Nishitani finished first in the third stage of the Tour de East Java in Batu, East Java, on Friday to take the yellow jersey from Tonton Susanto.

The Japanese rider clocked the fastest time of 2 hours, 26 minutes and 26 seconds, followed by Australian Bernard Sulzberger and Namibian, four and seven seconds behind, respectively.

As in the previous two stages, the riders competed in a criterium in which they had to tackle 30 rounds of a 3-kilometer track.

Although it was shorter than the previous two stages -- 108 kilometers in Jombang and 138 kilometers in Blitar -- the riders from 16 visiting teams and six local teams had a hard slog thanks to the track's bumpy road.

Race director Jamaludin Mahmood said Friday's race pushed the riders to the limit.

"To get to the front, the riders must be in peak physical condition and employ sound tactics along the way," he said after the race.

Nishitani acknowledged the toughness of the race. He said the team had previewed the track and prepared well for the race.

Nishitani managed to get his break in the final lap, overtaking Careera Sherwin of the Philippines, who had been leading with five laps to go.

The success gave Nishitani a yellow jersey, which had been held by Indonesian Tonton Susanto.

Tonton, who is competing for the Malaysian Letua Cycling Team, was relegated to second place on the standings with an overall time of 8 hours, 2 minutes and 49 seconds, 22 seconds behind the leader.

For the fourth stage of the tour, the riders will compete in a 113.1 kilometer road race from Batu to Tosari on Saturday.

The final stage will be another criterium of 51 kilometers, in Surabaya.

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