LTdL will ride on as Youth and Sports Ministry remain organiser

Good ol’ days: TSG team rider Mohd Harrif Saleh gulping down some water during the sixth stage of the Le Tour de Langkawi in 2025.

KUALA LUMPUR: The future of Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) is safe for the moment with the Youth and Sports Ministry remaining as organiser for another three years with an allocation of RM12mil.

The decision was announced by Youth and Sports Minister Dr Taufiq Johari after receiving Cabinet approval to ensure the continuity of the prestigious race.

He said a proposal paper had been presented yesterday to place LTdL under the Youth and Sports Ministry as the lead organiser moving forward.

Taufiq said recognition from the International Cycling Union (UCI) as one of the world’s top organisers has strengthened confidence to continue managing the race.

“We received global recognition from UCI, so we are confident LTdL can be organised in the best possible manner,” he said.

Taufiq said the RM12mil allocation will be channelled through the National Sports Trust Fund while efforts to secure additional sponsorship remain ongoing.

“We are working with RM12mil this year but we remain open to discussions to secure sponsorship because it is very important,” he said.

“Last year the total cost was around RM18mil, so we will continue seeking sponsorship to avoid placing additional burden on the government.’’

He acknowledged that the short preparation period remains the main challenge this year but expressed confidence that the race can still be organised smoothly.

Taufiq said he is optimistic the organisers will again attract participation from top-tier teams, including those from the ProTour level.

“Although time is limited, I am confident we can deliver LTdL as we did last year, including the participation of ProTour teams,” he said.

On the race route, Taufiq said an initial list has already been prepared but discussions with state governments and relevant stakeholders are still ongoing.

LTdL is scheduled to take place from Sept 27-Oct 4 this year, based on the UCI calendar.

Previously, the UCI ProSeries race faced uncertainty after the three-year contract under the National Sports Council ended following the last edition while Tourism Malaysia had also been linked as a possible new organiser.