Ciaran Power and Raymond Clarke finished in the main pack again on yesterday's 10th stage of the cycling Tour de Langkawi in Malaysia and although there is a first category climb just six kilometres from the end of today's stage the Irish pair are expected to survive to the finish tomorrow.

On yesterday's 137 kilometres from Sabak Bernan to Ipoh, Power and Clarke were placed 88th and 93rd respectively to remain 71st and 95th overall.

A breakaway group of six went ahead after 25 kilometres and managed to build up a lead of over six minutes but when the Mapei team-mates of the leader, Andrea Tafi, started a chase towards the end the advantage was reduced to three minutes and 20 seconds.

American Chad Garlach repeated the tactic he employed so successfully on Tuesday's seventh stage when he sprinted out of the last corner and he gained eight seconds which he held up along the finishing stretch in Ipoh. That makes the Italians and Americans level again on stage wins - five each.