Langkawi, Malaysia – In a bid to get UCI points early this year, Canada has sent a star-studded squad to Malaysia. It certainly has begun well with World MTB champ Roland Green taking second in stage #1, followed closely by Eric Wohlberg in fourth, and Gord Fraser finishing 8th. Seamus Mcgrath was 9th, and Peter Wedge finishes just outside the top ten in lucky number 13. Nathan O'Neill (Saturn) won the stage and will wear the leader's jersey tomorrow.

Malaysia, January 31 – February 9, 2003

Stage 1: 1. Nathan O'Neill (Aus) Saturn 11.53.20 (47.95 km/h) 2. Roland Green (Can) Canada 0.23.13 3. Tom Danielson (USA) Saturn 0.23.99 4. Eric Wohlberg (Can) Saturn 0.28.53 5. Sergiy Matveyev (Ukr) Ceramiche Panaria-Fiordo 0.31.11 6. Hernan Dario Munoz (Col) Colombia-Selle Italia 0.38.01 7. Martinez Freddy Gonzalez (Col) Colombia-Selle Italia 0.39.17 8. Gordon Fraser (Can) Canada 0.44.62 9. Seamus Mcgrath (Can) Canada 0.44.95 10. Domingo David Fernandez (Spa) Colchon Relax-Fuenlabrada 0.45.69