There was a collective holding of breaths at the finish of stage 3 of Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi when Alexander Kristoff (UNO-X Mobility) crossed the line right alongside Matteo Malucelli (XDS-Astana) in the tightest of sprint battles. For a moment, it looked like the retiring star attraction at the race may have just taken his first crucial step toward 100 victories.
The photo finish, however, soon put an end to that thought. The dream scenario and unfolding of the narrative of chasing those final two victories to jump from 98 career wins to a full century was compelling – even winner Malucelli apologised for thwarting the champion on his retirement run – but the goal posts now look to have shifted.
