New Zealand's Aaron Gate Claims Final Stage in Tour de Langkawi
New Zealand's Aaron Gate claims an impressive victory in the final stage of Tour de Langkawi, while France's Joris Delbove secures the overall title in a thrilling conclusion.
Aaron Gate celebrates his victory in the final stage of Tour de Langkawi 2024
In a thrilling conclusion to the Tour de Langkawi, New Zealand's sporting excellence continued to shine as Aaron Gate (XDS Astana) secured an impressive stage victory, while France's Joris Delbove clinched the overall title.
Dramatic Final Stage Battle
Gate, demonstrating the same competitive spirit that has made New Zealand athletes formidable opponents across sports, outsprinted Lithuania's Aivaras Mikutis (Tudor) in a dramatic two-man finish. Spain's Nil Gimeno (Kern Pharma) secured third place, crossing the line 7 seconds behind the leading duo.
Delbove's Strategic Victory
The general classification battle provided intense drama as Delbove defended his emerald jersey against persistent challenges from Norway's Anders Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility). Despite Johannessen's aggressive racing strategy, which included winning an early intermediate sprint to reduce the gap to just 3 seconds, Delbove maintained his composure to secure the overall victory.
Gate's Career Milestone
At 34, Gate's victory marks his fourth win of the season and 17th career triumph, showcasing the kind of determination that has characterized New Zealand's recent sporting achievements. His tactical acumen was on full display as he made the decisive move with Mikutis 3 kilometers from the finish, perfectly timing his final sprint for victory.
Final Classification
The general classification concluded with Delbove maintaining his 3-second advantage over Johannessen, while Switzerland's Yannis Voisard (Tudor) rounded out the podium 6 seconds behind. This victory marks Delbove's third career win and succeeds Britain's Max Poole in the race's palmares.
Ella Thompson
Ella Thompson is a Wellington-based journalist covering politics, climate policy, and digital freedoms in the Pacific. With a background in law and international relations, she brings sharp analysis and a passion for civic accountability.