KUALA LUMPUR: As a young boy, Azizulhasni Awang showed interest in cycling after watching riders from different countries in the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) speeding past in his hometown Terengganu.
But the future of the Tour is in the dark now as title sponsor Petronas’ commitment for the international event will come to an end this year.
It remains to be seen if the Malaysian oil giant will continue to back the event, which is part of the UCI ProSeries.
Former national road cyclists Mahazir Hamad and Anuar Manan are hoping LTdL will continue on and maintain its status as one of the events not to be missed in Asia – and continue to be a race that sparks youngsters to dream big.
Mahazir, who rode in LTdL from 2002 to 2007 and now works as a cycling coach, said the competition plays a very important role in helping to generate budding talents for the country.
“You can ask every cyclist in this country and they will say they picked up the interest in the sport from watching the LTdL race pass by in their home state,” said Mahazir.
“The interest starts with the parents who brought their children to watch. Datuk Azizulhasni also started to get involved in road cycling after watching LTdL race back in Terengganu before he made his name in track cycling later, so is the current top female cyclist Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri (from Kedah).
“This event has been running in our country every year since 1996 and if it is no more, what can the young talents with interest in cycling can look forward to?
“Even Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG), our top professional cycling team, were also established at that time because of LTdL, so it will be a big irony if they do not have a home race to aim for,” said the 49-year-old.
Former TSG rider Anuar, who made history as the first Malaysian to win a LTdL stage during the 2010 edition and also winning the sprinters classification the same year, does not want the event to stop.
“It will be a big loss to Malaysia. It is a very popular cycling event and well-liked by the active professional cyclists who came to Malaysia to compete before.
“LTdL is also the only ProSeries event in Asia and this position is something other countries are eyeing. The ProSeries is the second highest tier behind the WorldTour.
The Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) are the registered rights holder of the event with UCI (International Cycling Union).
“This event is much awaited by the national cyclists as they get to compete with some of the WorldTour teams at home,” said Anuar.
“It also gives good mileage to the states that hosts a route and the potential is there.
“I grew up in Kuala Terengganu and caught the cycling bug after watching a LTdL race.
“1 was involved with LTdL as a cyclist for 13 years and I made history in 2010, so this is something I will not forget in my life,” said the former sprint specialist, now 38.
LTdL this year will have eight stages and takes place from Sept 28-Oct 5.
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