Irish champion David McCann went agonisingly close to a victory on today's penultimate stage of the Telekom Malaysia Tour de Langkawi, finishing an excellent second in the 16.2km time trial held in Melaka.
The Giant Asia rider showed great speed in beating many well established professionals, including race leader David George and the 2005 race winner Ryan Cox, but missed out on the stage win due to the thundering ride of Sergiy Matveyev (Ceramica Panaria-Navigare).
McCann was 32.77 seconds slower than the Ukrainian, with Stef Clement (Bouygues Telecom) a further four seconds back in third. Race leader David George was back in 19th place, one minute 17 seconds off the winning time.
Although disappointed to go so close to what would have been his best career win, McCann's ride is further confirmation of his strength as a time trialist.
It moves him from 15th to a fine 13th in the general classification, and up to third in the points standings.
"I am quite disappointed as I was going for the win," he said.
"I feel that I haven't quite recovered from being in the break the other day (stage 6) but even if I was, I don't think I would have made up all the time between myself and Matveyev.
"He was quite a bit quicker, he was on a super ride today. It's just frustrating to get second, to be close to the win.
"I am still building form for the Commonwealth Games and so will be aiming for a big result there."
McCann is also fourth in the King of the Mountains competition and, with no more related mountain points up for grabs, needs just complete the race tomorrow to record that result.
