German climber Lennart Jasch (cycling/" class="auto-internal-link" title="Tudor Pro Cycling">Tudor Pro Cycling) delivered a masterclass in defensive riding on the steep slopes of Genting Highlands during Stage 5 of Le Tour de Langkawi 2026, successfully holding onto the General Classification (GC) leader’s yellow jersey.
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While Frenchman Nicolas Breuillard (TotalEnergies) produced a gritty performance out of the early breakaway to capture the stage win, Jasch executed a calculated climb to finish third and extend his buffer over his key podium rivals with three stages remaining.
Genting Highlands Delivers the Ultimate Test
Stage 5 served as the undisputed “Queen Stage” of the 30th edition of Malaysia’s flagship stage race, taking the peloton across 123.5 kilometers from Tapah to the summit finish at Genting Highlands. Featuring gradients reaching beyond 10% in the final three kilometers, the ascent tested the endurance and climbing depth of every team in the field.
An aggressive early breakaway of seven riders established a maximum gap of two minutes and forty seconds. As the break splintered on the lower slopes of the Hors Catégorie (HC) climb, Breuillard launched a decisive solo attack 4 kilometers from the line, holding off late surges from the chasing group to claim his first victory of the season.
Tactical Discipline Keeps Jasch in Yellow
Despite relentless accelerations from rival GC teams, Jasch remained composed under pressure. Supported by a disciplined pacing effort from his Tudor Pro Cycling teammates through the foot of the climb, the 25-year-old leader marked every dangerous surge from the main group.
In the final 1,500 meters, Jasch launched a strong surge out of the reduced elite group, crossing the finish line in third place behind Breuillard and Josh Burnett (Burgos Burpellet BH).
“We knew Genting Highlands was the critical day for our overall ambitions,” said Jasch after the finish. “The team covered every early move and set a steady rhythm at the base. Once we hit the steepest ramps, I focused on pacing my effort. Keeping yellow after the Queen Stage gives us immense confidence for the final sprint days.”
Stage 5 Results & General Classification Standings
Stage 5 Top 5 Finishers
| Position | Rider | Team | Time / Gap |
| 1 | Nicolas Breuillard | TotalEnergies | 3h 22′ 14″ |
| 2 | Josh Burnett | Burgos Burpellet BH | +0′ 08″ |
| 3 | Lennart Jasch | Tudor Pro Cycling | +0′ 24″ |
| 4 | Jarno Widar | Lotto Dstny | +0′ 32″ |
| 5 | Merhawi Kudus | Terengganu Cycling Team | +0′ 41″ |
General Classification (Top 5)
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time / Gap |
| 1 | Lennart Jasch 🟡 | Tudor Pro Cycling | 16h 45′ 12″ |
| 2 | Josh Burnett | Burgos Burpellet BH | +0′ 18″ |
| 3 | Nicolas Breuillard | TotalEnergies | +0′ 35″ |
| 4 | Jarno Widar | Lotto Dstny | +0′ 52″ |
| 5 | Merhawi Kudus | Terengganu Cycling Team | +1′ 10″ |
What’s Next: Sprint Stages Heading to Kuala Lumpur
With the mountain summit finishes completed, the peloton transitions toward flatter terrain for the final three stages leading into Kuala Lumpur.
While sprinters will dominate the upcoming stage finishes, Tudor Pro Cycling must remain vigilant against late breakaways and crosswinds to secure Jasch’s overall victory in the general classification.
For more race coverage and tactical breakdowns, explore our dedicated Cycling News hub.
