From now on, February 11, 2008, will be known as a significant milestone in the globalization of cycling. It saw an successful all-Asian breakaway that lasted some 150km, and the first Korean winner in the Tour de Langkawi. Cycling is no longer a sport that excites only those in Europe, or attracts fans interested only in European racing.

One of a quintet of riders who escaped on the longest leg of the race, Won Jae Lee (Seoul Cycling) wasn't the favorite - that was Meitan Hompo's Koji Fukushima, who initiated the move on his own after 60km before being caught 20km down the road.

In fact, it was three years ago that Fukushima who made history by becoming the first Japanese stage winner at Langkawi with a day-long escape.

The all-Asian, five-man break drives onwards toward Banting.

Photo: Anthony Tan

But Lee surprised everyone, making his first move 5km from the line, then going all out just before the kilometer kite on Banting Bridge, holding off fast finisher Anuar Manan (Letua Cycling Team) and Yan Dong Xing (Trek Marco Polo) by five seconds to create another special page in the history books.

"In the last five kilometers my manager kept telling me, 'You're strong, you can do it,’ and that gave me the strength to attack again and win. My manager told me not to look behind, but I did anyway!" said Lee with the grin of a winner.

Had Manan won, he too would have made history, and being Malaysian, brought the house down. But it wasn't to be for this up-and-coming 21-year-old.

"I was the best sprinter, but when the Korean [Lee] attacked with one kilometer to go, I just couldn't go with him, so I have to be happy with second and be the first Malaysian to wear the green jersey [of points leader],” he said.

Even race leader Mathieu Sprick realized the significance of the occasion, having witnessed the revolution first-hand some five years ago when the Japanese Nippo team decided to brush up on their skills by racing in France.

Monday's podium

Photo: Anthony Tan

"I know that the Asian riders come here a lot. They're known for being very aggressive and now have a good level, and to have so many Asians in the breakaway today is very good for the Tour de Langkawi; it's good for cycling as well," he said.

When it finally did go, Monday's break was a blessing for Sprick and the boys from Bouygues, who were struggling to keep the situation under control in the first hour that was raced at a 46.3 km/h average.

"It took a lot of time before the break went, but before, it was really hard. It was an ideal scenario for me when the break went away before the any of the bonus sprints, which meant my yellow jersey wasn't under threat," said Sprick.

Despite three breaks in as many days, the general classification largely remains at status quo with 13 seconds still separating the top 19 riders. And with Fraser's Hill certain to determine the yellow jersey’s final resting place, it's tipped to stay that way until Saturday.

Tuesday's fourth stage is the final leg down the west coast, starting in Port Dickson and ending 169km later in Batu Pahat.