Three world-class teams confirm entry to spice up LTdL

Vroom on: Simon Carr became the first British rider to be crowned as overall winner in last year’s edition of the Le Tour de Langkawi.

BUKIT JALIL: Expect a world-class show at this year’s Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) with the confirmation of three renowned teams – all geared up to spice up the race.

World No. 10 EF Education-Easypost (United States) are eyeing for the honours together with Holland’s DSM Firmenich PostNL (No. 15) and Kazakhstan’s Astana Qazaqstan (22nd) in the race from Sept 29-Oct 6.

All three teams will be arriving fresh after completing their gruelling participation in the recent Tour de France.

Last year, only the team from US and Kazakhstan were here but Holland are expected to open up the race and give others a run for their money.

Adding on, a total of seven teams from the Pro Team category under the International Cycling Union (UCI) will also grace the event.

A total of 22 teams will compete over eight stages.

National Sports Council (NSC) director general Abdul Rashid Yaakub said the participation of these world and Pro teams has made LTdL eligible to be categorised among the Pro Series races outside Europe.

“It is an achievement for us to have three world teams participating in this year’s LTdL as only two took part last year,” he said.

“You may also compare it to the Pro Series race, Tour of Qinghai Lake in China that took place on July 7, where there were only two world teams and five Pro teams.”

This year’s route however, will not include a climb up Fraser’s Hill.

The LTdL’s chief operating officer Emir Abdul Jalal said they would name a route for stage four after receiving advice from the International Cycling Union (UCI).

Emir said: “UCI have advised us to exclude Fraser Hill from the route because of safety concerns after witnessing severe crashes during downhill sections in Europe.

“We have submitted alternative routes to UCI and are currently awaiting their approval.”

He was referring to the two mass crashes that occurred during a downhill section during stage five of the Criterium du Dauphine in France last month, and the descent in stage four of Tour of Austria where Norwegian rider Andre Drege passed away on July 6.

The 28th edition of the race in Asia will see Langkawi Island back on the race route, which will also feature two stages for the first time to be held in Sarawak, with a total distance covering 1,227.2 km.

THE TEAMS

UCI World teams: 1. Astana Qazaqstan (Kaz), 2. EF Education Easypost (US), 3. DSM Firmenich PostNL (Ned).

UCI Pro teams: 1. VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizane (Ita), 2. Burgos BH (Spa), 3. Equipo Kern Pharma (Spa), 4. Corratec Vini Fantini (Ita), 5. Polti Kometa (Ita), 6. Tudor Pro Cycling (Sui), 7. Euskaltel-Euskadi (Spa).

UCI Continental teams: 1. Terengganu (Mas), 2. Malaysia Pro (Mas), 3. Hengxiang (Chn), 4. Nusantra Pro (Ina), 5. JCL Team Ukyo (Jpn), 6. Ara Skip Capital (AUS), 7. HKSI Pro (Hkg), 8. Aisan Racing (Jpn), 9. Li Ning Star (Chn).

National teams: 1. Malaysia, 2. Thailand, 3. Philippines.