Australian cyclist Patrick Eddy experienced a series of highs and lows during the final stage of the Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi on March 10, 2024. While he successfully secured the mountains classification jersey, an unexpected mechanical issue thwarted his attempt to clinch a stage victory. Competing in Tangkak, Eddy aimed to leverage his climbing prowess on a stage featuring three categorized climbs.
Eddy, racing for the team Picnic PostNL, found himself in a promising position early in the race. With only three teammates remaining, including Matthew Dinham and Oliver Peace, the team focused on preventing any contenders from challenging Eddy’s lead in the mountains classification. Since stage 3, Eddy had been tied on points with Jambaljamts Sainbayar from Burgos Burpellet BH, making it crucial for him to maintain his position as the race progressed.
The team’s strategy shifted as they realized the opportunity for Eddy to aim for the stage win. Team sports director Pim Ligthart noted, “It was never the plan, but now they have something to race for,” acknowledging their previous success in the event. Eddy, initially targeting sprints, had garnered several top 10 finishes, but the larger teams posed challenges due to their superior numbers.
With the mountains jersey secured, Eddy expressed his desire not just to protect it but to chase a stage win. “Matt and Ollie did a really good job helping me out to make sure those guys didn’t get in the breakaway,” he said. Peace’s efforts allowed Eddy to focus on the stage win rather than just accumulating points.
As the race unfolded, Eddy attacked with approximately 20 kilometers remaining, aiming to bridge the gap to Peace and Nil Gimeno from Equipo Kern Pharma. He described his initial success, stating, “I got the green light to go on the attack if I wanted to, and I did a good effort over that first climb.” However, disaster struck when a flag from the roadside became entangled in his wheel about 17 kilometers from the finish.
This mechanical issue forced Eddy to halt his momentum while watching his competitors pass him by. “I felt really good and I also don’t get the green light so often to race for my own results,” he reflected. Despite the setback, he maintained a positive outlook on his performance, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of cycling. “It’s frustrating. But that’s cycling,” he concluded in Kuala Lumpur.
Eddy’s resilience and determination were evident throughout the race. As he continues to search for a contract for the next season, his performance at Le Tour de Langkawi has highlighted both his potential and the unpredictable elements that come with competitive cycling.