Watch out as British rider Simon says he’s in good shape to win again

Breakthrough: Simon Carr considers his LTdL win last year as his best achievement and turning point in his career. — AFP

LANGKAWI: It was a sweet end for British rider Simon Carr’s tour calendar last year when he clinched the overall leader title at the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) in his maiden appearance, and he’s back for more.

The 26-year-old rider for EF Education-Easypost, who became the first British rider to win the 27-year history of the race, is hoping to emulate the win this year when the race starts today on the island.

Although Carr did not finish several races in Italy earlier this month before arriving in Langkawi, he’s still beaming with confidence that it’ll be a good race for him in Malaysia.

He considers his win last year as his best achievement and turning point in his career.

“In some ways last year’s LTdL was my best achievement as it’s the only general classification (GC) title that I had won. I had a good winter after that,” he said during the pre-race press conference yesterday.

Carr came in first at Stage 5 of last year’s route from Slim River to Genting Highlands, held on to the Green overall winner jersey and eventually finished the 1,278.1km race with a time of 29’17:41 at the finish line in KLCC.

With the Genting Highlands out of the race route this year, Carr said the competition would be close among the top contenders, but hopes his team will be able to defend their overall champion title.

“I’m in similar shape to what I was this time last year, and my ambition is still the same.

“Of course, the route is slightly different this year. Last year it came down to Genting Highlands, so maybe this time it would be harder to predict as some would say the route is easier.

“We have a pretty good team here, everyone is motivated to race so that’s a positive thing,” he said.

The other EF Education-Easypost riders this year include Hugh John Carthy of England, Russian rider Stefan De Bod, United States’ Sean Quinn, Japan’s Yuhi Todome, and Dutch rider Jardi Christiaan Van der Lee.

Among the favourites vying for the overall champion title besides Carr is World Team DSM Firmenich PostNL’s Max Poole and Paul Double, both from England.

Double, who rides for Team Polti Kometa came in sixth last year and will be looking to move up the leaderboard to overthrow Carr.

Another noteworthy contender is Gleb Syritsa of Astana Qazaqstan as the Russian had won Stage 2 and 8 at last year’s LTdL.

A total of 22 teams will be going head-to-head to tackle the 96.5km route around Langkawi Island, consisting of three sprint sections and one king of the mountain challenge at the Look Out Point before Padang Matsirat.