Cycling event to put Johor on world sports map

Khairil (left) and Linquier showing the L’Etape Malaysia jersey. — Photo courtesy of Iskandar Investment Bhd

JOHOR will be hosting the first L’Etape by Tour de France in Malaysia starting June 4 this year at Desaru Coast, Kota Tinggi.

Iskandar Investment Bhd (IIB) president and chief executive officer Datuk Khairil Anwar Ahmad said the cycling event was made possible following a collaboration between IIB and Tour de France.

“The first-ever Tour de France L’Etape Malaysia has received over 2,100 entries from amateur and veteran cyclists,” he said in a statement.

Earlier, he had presented the event’s jersey to commissioner general of France General Erik Linquier to mark the collaboration at the Malaysia-France Business Briefing and Networking Opportunity event at the France Pavilion in the Expo 2020 Dubai in United Arab Emirates last month.

“We are looking forward to the event as we support the sport of cycling,” said Khairil.

He highlighted that the international tournament would help place Johor on the world sporting map.

He said cycling had become more popular in the country during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Anticipating the trend, IIB has developed a cycling haven in Iskandar Puteri equipped with bicycle lanes, wide roads and safety features.

On a separate matter, Khairil said Johor Week – which was held at the Malaysia Pavilion from Feb 28 to March 5 this year – aimed to promote Johor as an investment destination.“We wanted to showcase the best of Johor in various sectors, including business, tourism and emerging technology,” he added.

Dubai 2020, originally scheduled as a six-month event to start from Oct 1, 2020, was delayed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It is currently ongoing until March 31. — By ZAZALI MUSA