Abdul Rahman going for LTdL glory after double Euro triumph

Beaming with joy: Wan Abdul Rahman Hamdan (centre) celebrating with fans in Turkiye.

PETALING JAYA: Wan Abdul Rahman Hamdan can cement his status as Malaysia’s new king of road cycling if he can seize the opportunity for Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) at the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTDL) end of this month.

The 26-year-old put Malaysia on the spotlight during the Merdeka weekend with fine performances at the Tour of Route Salvation in Turkiye.

Abdul Rahman, better known by his nickname Achik, claimed his second win on the European Tour this year after emerging victorious in Stage 3 of the UCI 2.2 Tour.

Abdul Rahman had won his maiden race in Europe at the Grand Prix of Antalya in February.

The fact that not even TSG legends Mohd Harrif Saleh and previously Anuar Manan were able to bag a double victory on European soil in one season gives Abdul Rahman all the motivation he needs to succeed in Malaysia’s biggest road cycling meet end of this month.

Abdul Rahman is expected to lead TSG’s sprinting attack for LTdL, which takes place from Sept 28-Oct 5.

TSG sporting director Wan Nazri Wan Ahmad is confident Abdul Rahman has what it takes to finish on the podium in this year’s LTdL.

“I think his performances at Tour of Route Salvation were his best this year,” said Nazri.

“Achik is in peak form at the moment and we hope he can remain consistent as LTdL is only a few weeks away. He definitely has a chance to finish on the podium in LTdL.”

Only Harrif and Anuar have managed to make the top of the podium in LTdL history.

Anuar was the first in 2010 and Harrif managed to achieve the feat three times (once in 2019 and twice in 2020).

Age is also on Abdul Rahman’s side as he is just coming into his prime years as sprinters typically peak in their late 20s to early 30s.

The LTdL 2025 route will start in Langkawi on Sept 28 and conclude in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 5, covering a total of 1,257.8km across the peninsula.

Notably, the race will not feature the traditional Genting Highlands climb for a second consecutive year.