Stage 3 of the 2026 Tour de Langkawi covers 189.7 km from Sungai Petani to Kuala Kangsar through hilly terrain in the Malaysian interior, ending with a flat run-in to the finish that rewards riders who can survive the climbs and still sprint from a select group. Classified as a hilly stage with a flat finale, it suits punchy all-rounders who combine solid hills ability with enough finishing kick to contest a reduced bunch or small breakaway. With no stages yet run, current form and similar-profile results from the past 90 days are the primary guide to selection.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Daniel Cavia Sanz stands alone at the top of this preview. His win in stage 1 of the Tour of Huangshan and four top-3 finishes in similar-profile races over the past 90 days represent by far the strongest recent record in this field on terrain like today's. With hills ability among the best available and a Burgos squad to work for him, he is the rider all others must account for.
Burgos
Burgos
Daniel Cavia Sanz leads the field in recent similar-profile form, having taken a win in stage 1 of the Tour of Huangshan and banking four top-3 finishes in comparable hilly terrain. He combines that excellent recent record with solid hills ability, making him the clear favorite for a hilly stage finishing in Kuala Kangsar.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Cedrik Christophersen and Lennart Jasch both arrive as proven winners on hilly terrain. Christophersen's stage victory in the Arctic Race of Norway and Jasch's win in the Giro d'Abruzzo show that each can seize the moment when the road is selective. Both are capable of taking the stage if Cavia Sanz is neutralized.
Unibet Rose
Unibet Rose
Cedrik Christophersen arrives with a win in stage 4 of the Arctic Race of Norway — a hilly stage race of similar profile — giving him genuine winning pedigree on terrain like this. His hills ability is competitive across this field and that recent victory elevates him to top contender status.
Tudor U23
Tudor U23
Lennart Jasch claimed victory in stage 2 of the Giro d'Abruzzo on hilly terrain, demonstrating he can win when the road kicks up. Tudor U23's best card for this stage, he has the profile and the recent result to challenge for the podium in Kuala Kangsar.
★★
Dark Horses
Mathis Le Berre, Nicolas Breuillard, and Riley Pickrell form a credible second tier. Le Berre's five top-10s in similar races make him the most consistently present rider in this group, while Breuillard and Pickrell each have recent top-5 or top-10 results to underpin their candidacies. TotalEnergies' numerical advantage could work in Le Berre's and Breuillard's favor tactically.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
Mathis Le Berre is the most active rider in this field on similar-profile races, racking up five top-10 finishes recently, showing consistent competitiveness even without a win. Among the strongest hills-rated riders in a TotalEnergies squad that sends multiple cards into this stage, he is a reliable dark-horse pick.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
Nicolas Breuillard has two top-10 results in similar-profile races in the last 90 days and sits among the top-ranked hills riders in this field. TotalEnergies' strength in numbers gives him the tactical support to feature late in a hilly stage like this.
Modern Adventure
Modern Adventure
Riley Pickrell has a top-5 and a top-10 finish in similar-profile races recently, showing he can compete when the road is demanding. As one of Modern Adventure's stronger cards in hilly conditions, his recent form warrants dark-horse consideration.
★
Ones to Watch
Aaron Gate, José Manuel Díaz, Ronan Augé, and Scott McGill round out the top ten as riders who have each shown at least one promising similar-profile result. Gate and Díaz are the best-rated hills riders among the outsiders and could animate attacks, while Augé and McGill have demonstrated the ability to surprise on undulating terrain even if consistency has been elusive.
XDS Astana
XDS Astana
Aaron Gate has a top-10 in a similar-profile race recently and is one of the more versatile riders in this field, with solid hills ability complemented by a strong time trial. He is worth monitoring as a late-stage attacker who can find gaps on undulating terrain.
Burgos
Burgos
José Manuel Díaz has a top-10 in similar-profile racing recently and sits at the top of the hills rankings in this field alongside his Burgos teammate Aparicio. Burgos fields multiple capable options, and Díaz could be the one to animate the finale.
Unibet Rose
Unibet Rose
Ronan Augé has a top-5 in similar-profile racing recently, punching above what his raw stat alone would suggest. A young rider building confidence in hilly races, he could benefit from Unibet Rose's depth and sneak into the top ten.
Modern Adventure
Modern Adventure
Scott McGill posted a top-5 and a top-10 in similar-profile races recently, suggesting he handles undulating terrain better than his mid-range hills rating implies. He is a capable outsider for Modern Adventure on a stage that could see a small group go to the line.
Verdict
Daniel Cavia Sanz is the clear top favorite based on his recent winning form in comparable hilly races, with Cedrik Christophersen and Lennart Jasch — both stage winners in similar terrain — his most dangerous challengers.