KUALA LUMPUR: South Africa’s Reinardt Janse van Rensburg powered his way to win the Le Tour de Langkawi Wednesday, despite a disappointing finish in the event’s final stage in Malaysia.

The 27-year-old rider finished 12th in the final stretch of the race in Malaysia’s southern Malacca state, but still reigned overall with a total time of 28hr 31min 21sec for the tough eight-stage course.

The victory for Janse van Rensburg (Dimension Data) is a boost ahead of his spring campaign in Europe, starting with his first major target of Milan-San Remo in Italy on March 19.

Colombia’s Daniel Alexander Jaramillo Diez (United Health Care Professional) finished second overall with a total time of 28hr 31min 39sec, while his fellow countryman Miguel Lopez Moreno (Astana Pro Team) was third with 28hr 31min 40sec.

The final stage on Wednesday was won by Andrea Guardini of Italy (Astana Pro Team) in 2hr 42min 55sec.

Italy’s Jakub Mareczko (Southeast-Venezuela) was second and Japan’s Shiki Kuroeda (Aisan Racing Team) took third.

Janse van Rensburg also finished the last leg in 2hrs 42mins 55sec.

The final stage race was 119 km (74 miles) long and included an eight-kilometer loop through a picturesque historical district.

Janse van Rensburg is the fourth African rider to win the event’s overall title after Algerian rider Youcef Reguigui in 2015, South Africans Ryan Cox in 2005 and David George in 2006.