REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, RUTENG -- Chinese cyclist Liu Jianpeng became the fastest rider in the fourth stage of the Tour de Flores bicycle race, here, on Sunday.

Jianpeng from Wisdom Hengxiang team, won the 136.6 km stage from Bajawa in Ngada District to Ruteng in Manggarai District, in 3 hours, 48 minutes and 49 seconds, which was two seconds ahead of Benjamin Prades from Ukyo team.

Previously, in the third stage on Saturday, another Chinese cyclist, Yinghon Ronald Yeung, also from Jianpeng's team, came out as the winner.

Daniel Whitehouse, New Zealander who joins Malaysia's Terengganu cycling team and clocked 14:53:54, has maintained his overall lead at the Tour de Flores.

The first stage was won by Jason Christie of the Kenya Riders Downunder team, while the second stage belonged to Daniel Whitehouse, both New Zealanders.

Meanwhile, in the overall standings, Indonesia's national team rider Robin Manullang sat in ninth position with a time of 14:54:04.

Another Indonesian, Dadi Suryadi, who joins the Terengganu team, was in the eight.

Withehouse and Manullang have the biggest chance to win the race which is held for the first time in East Nusa Tenggara.

The fifth stage or the last stage will be a 147km battle from Ruteng to Labuan Bajo in West Manggarai District.

Tour de Flores is expected to offer more spectacular views and will be more challenging than other bicycle races in Indonesia, such as the Tour de Singkarak in West Sumatara Province and Tour de Banyuwangi iin East Java Province.

The cycling race was flagged off by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Rizal Ramli in Larantuka, East Flores District, on May 19.

The cycling event, touring Flores Island, is divided into five stages covering a total distance of 615 km.

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