While we Canadian cycling fans were laser-focused on the awesome performances of Team Canada at the road worlds, Victoria’s Riley Pickrell was busy coming close to spoiling Matteo Malucelli’s day at the 2026 Le Tour de Langkawi on Sunday, and then once again on Tuesday.

The Italian sprinter took the opening stage in Kampar, but it was fellow fastman Pickrell who was alongside him in a frantic finish after 193 km of racing from Shah Alam. Fernando Gaviria was third. Malucelli, also took the overall lead and sprinter’s jersey.

An unpredictable sprint

It was hardly the straightforward start Malucelli had planned. He injured his hand during training on Saturday, then watched teammate Aaron Gate crash on the final corner before the sprint.

“I’m surprised and happy because I was injured yesterday, and my hand still hurts,” Malucelli said. “I even saw Aaron (Gate) lose control and crash.”

The XDS-Astana rider credited Gleb Syritsa with getting him into position for the sprint.

“My teammate brought me to the front. They worked hard along the route today and controlled the tempo at the front of the peloton well.”

Even the riders involved weren’t sure who had won immediately after the sprint.

“When crossing the finish line, neither my rival (Pickrell) nor I were sure who had won, but once he signaled to me, I knew for certain that I had won,” Malucelli said.

Stage 2 and 3

Lennart Jasch of Tudor Pro Cycling Team took Stage 2, which was too hilly for the sprinters.

Then, on Tuesday, it was another duel between the Italian and Canadian. Malucelli and Pickrell went 1-2 again on Stage 3 from Sungai Petani to Kuala Kangsar, a 189.7-km stage.

Pickrell remains second in the points classification, with Malucelli leading.

Tomorrow’s Stage 4 from Meru Raya to Cameron Highlands is unlikely to suit the Canadian sprinter. The 142.3-km stage finishes with a brutal summit climb, meaning Pickrell will likely be looking to conserve his legs and make it to the finish with the gruppetto and saving his legs for the next chance, either Stage 6 or 7.