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LANDBOUWKREDIET, A BELGIAN TOUCH FOR LE TOUR DE LANGKAWI

Baptiste Planckaert


Geert Verheyen

Marco Saligari
31 December 2010, KUALA LUMPUR - BELGIAN team Landbouwkrediet will return to Le Tour de Langkawi after four years of absence. They are set to strengthen the field of the Malaysian H.C. race from January 23rd to February 1st.

This is a legendary team as the Belgian bank has been a faithful backer of the team for ten years already. Landbouwkrediet stepped in way back in 2001 but the squad managed by Gerard Bulens initially named under Saxon and then Tönissteiner was created in 1992. “Not many cycling teams manage to celebrate their twentieth anniversary”, said the founder who has put stability as his priority while other managers have tried to get their organisation to grow too fast and were eventually forced to close the business.

Landbouwkrediet makes the headlines in the winter season with their cyclo-cross super star Sven Nys but their road team looks well prepared to take over as early as in January. They will be coached at Le Tour de Langkawi by former Tour de France stage winner Marco Saligari who participated in the event himself in 1997, the year the Malaysian event kicked off on the island of Borneo. “I’ve always kept fond memories of Le Tour de Langkawi”, said the Italian who returned to Malaysia as a sport director. “I think it’s the best way for a team like ours to start the new season.”

The Landbouwkrediet team will look at building foundations for the European races dedicated to sprinters. They have an interesting mix of young and experienced riders with 37 year old Geert Verheyen to guide the beginners. As he finished second at GP of Frankfurt in 2010, he’s still very competitive. Le Tour de Langkawi will give exposure to two of the most promising prospects of Belgian cycling who finished the 2010 season on a high note: Joeri Stallaert who came 7th in Paris-Tours U23 and Baptiste Planckaert who was 5th in the H.C. Tour de Vendée.

Baptiste has no family relation to the famous brothers and sons Willy, Walter, Eddy, Jo and Francesco Planckaert but his father Ignaas has made the record books for finishing second in the 1980 Circuit des Ardennes one place ahead of eventual Tour de France triple crowned champion Greg LeMond and his grandfather Willy Truye was also a professional cyclist from 1955 to 1962 and he won the famous French one day race GP of Isbergues in 1957.

“We all know how Belgium is important in the world of cycling, so we wanted to have a team from this country where media cover so much of bike racing”, said the CEO of Le Tour de Langkawi Mohamed Salleh. “Landbouwkrediet will expand the prestige of our event. We expect them to deliver good results as they have the reputation of having good sprinters. They are very motivated, so I believe they’ll be very competitive.”

LANDBOUWKREDIET TEAM LINE-UP
Team Manager: Marco SALIGARI
Riders: Davy COMMEYNE, Sébastien DELFOSSE, Benjamin GOURGUE, Baptiste PLANCKAERT, Joeri STALLAERT and Geert VERHEYEN (all Belgians)

Le Tour de Langkawi 2011 is organized by the Youth and Sports Ministry of Malaysia together with the Malaysian National Cycling Federation. The 2011 Tour is scheduled to be held from 23rd January to 1st February covers a total distance of 1315.4 kms with 10 stages, starting in Langkawi Island and ending at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.

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BM - LANDBOUWKREDIET BAWA SENTUHAN BELGIUM KE LE TOUR DE LANGKAWI

31 Disember 2010, KUALA LUMPUR – PASUKAN Belgium, Landbouwkrediet kembali menghangatkan saingan Le Tour de Langkawi selepas menghilang empat tahun dan dijangka memeriahkan lagi profil saingan bagi jelajah berstatus H.C. itu pada 23 Januari hingga 1 Februari ini.

Ini adalah pasukan handalan yang mendapat sokongan tajaan bank Belgium sejak 10 tahun lalu. Landbouwkrediet kali pertama membuat kemunculan pada 2001 tetapi skuad yang dibimbing pengurus Gerard Bulens ketika itu lebih dikenali dengan nama Saxon dan kemudian Tönissteiner ketika ditubuhkan pada 1992.

“Tidak banyak pasukan profesional basikal yang mampu merayakan ulang tahun ke-20 mereka,” kata Bulens, pengasas pasukan itu yang bertanggungjawab menjadikan skuad berkenaan cukup stabil berbanding pengurus lain yang cuba membina kekuatan menerusi jalan singkat tetapi akhirnya lenyap terkubur.

Landbouwkrediet mencipta nama ketika musim sejuk menerusi bintang cyclo-cross, Sven Nys tetapi pasukan lebuh raya juga dilihat sudah bersedia untuk beraksi pada awal Januari. Pengurus yang akan membimbing pasukan itu pada LTdL 2011 adalah pemenang peringkat Tour de France, Marco Saligari yang turut pernah mengecap aksi LTdL pada 1997.

“Saya sentiasa menyimpan kenangan manis Le Tour de Langkawi,” kata warga berbangsa Itali itu yang kini menjadi pengurus pasukan. “Saya berpendapat inilah cara terbaik bagi pasukan seperti kami memulakan musim baru.”

Pasukan Landbouwkrediet mahu membina kekuatan menjelang perlumbaan Eropah musim ini dengan menyenaraikan ramai pelumba pecut. Pasukan ini mempunyai gabungan pelumba muda dan berpengalaman, diketuai pelumba 37 tahun, Geert Verheyen yang akan membimbing rakan pelumba muda lain. Dengan kemampuan menduduki tempat kedua di GP Frankfurt pada 2010, dia masih dianggap seorang pelumba yang kompetitif.

Le Tour de Langkawi juga akan memberi pendedahan berguna kepada dua pelumba berbakat Belgium yang menamatkan musim 2010 dengan nota cemerlang: Joeri Stallaert yang menduduki tempat ketujuh Bawah-23 Paris-Tours dan Baptiste Planckaert yang menduduki tempat kelima dalam jelajah berstatus HC, Tour de Vendée.

Baptiste tiada kaitan persaudaraan dengan pelumba adik beradik terkenal Willy, Walter, Eddy, Jo dan Francesco Planckaert tetapi bapanya, Ignaas pernah mencipta rekod menduduki tempat kedua Circuit des Ardennes 1990, di depan pemenang tiga gelaran Tour de France ketika itu, Greg LeMond, manakala datuknya, Willy Truye juga pernah bergelar pelumba profesional pada 1955 hingga 1962 serta memenangi perlumbaan terkenal sehari Perancis, GP of Isbergues pada 1957.

“Kita semua sedar Belgium adalah negara penting dalam dunia perlumbaan berbasikal, jadi kita mahukan sebuah pasukan daripada negara itu hadir di LTdL dan mendapat liputan meluas media di sana,” kata Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif (CEO) Le Tour de Langkawi, Mohamed Salleh. “Landbouwkrediet akan meningkatkan lagi nilai prestij jelajah kebanggaan kita. Kami meramalkan mereka akan menghasilkan keputusan yang bagus sesuai dengan reputasi pasukan itu yang mempunyai ramai pakar pecut. Mereka cukup bermotivasi, jadi saya percaya mereka akan begitu kompetitif.”

SENARAI PASUKAN LANDBOUWKREDIET
Pengurus Pasukan: Marco SALIGARI
Pelumba: Davy COMMEYNE, Sébastien DELFOSSE, Benjamin GOURGUE, Baptiste PLANCKAERT, Joeri STALLAERT, Geert VERHEYEN (semua BELGIUM)

Le Tour de Langkawi 2011 dianjurkan Kementerian Belia dan Sukan bersama-sama Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (MNCF). Jelajah 2011 dijadual berlangsung dari 23 Januari hingga 1 Febauari. Meliputi jarak keseluruhan 1,315.4 kilometer, dengan 10 peringkat, dari Pulau Langkawi dan berakhir di Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.

Tamat

IRANIANS, GERMAN, AUSTRIAN AND RUSSIAN FLAIR IN TABRIZ

29 December 2010 - KUALA LUMPUR: Presenting their strongest line up so far for the 2011 edition of Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL), Tabriz Petrochemical from Iran is looking to defend the Asian and overall team classification and aims for the yellow jersey.

Two out of the three Iranian riders in the line-up were among the top 10 in the overall classification in LTdL 2010; which are Hossein Askari and Ghader Mizbani.

The 35 year old rider Askari who is all too familiar with LTdL had participated previously under the colours of Telekom Malaysia All-Star, Giant Asia Racing and finally recruited by Tabriz. But there was no doubt, his best performance was when he ranked third overall in the 2010 edition, just 2 minutes 39 seconds behind the overall yellow jersey winner, Jose Rujano Guillen of ISD-Neri.

Once again, Askari will be the main focus of the 2011 edition, assisted by Eibegger and Mizbani to record encouraging results in two consecutive climbs up Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands.

Iranian rider Mizbani, 35, which have the same climbing strength, collected 46 wins in his professional career since 1999, Mizbani who was ninth in the overall classification in 2010 also listed among the candidates who will grab the prestigious yellow jersey and the King of the mountain jersey.

Tabriz team manager Kazem Khatounabadi, listed Mehdi Sohrabi as their sprinter for the pursuit of stage victories. In the remaining flat stages of LTdL 2011, spectators will be expecting great performance by Sohrabi at the finish line. The 29-year-old bronze medallist in the Points Race event at the recent Asian Games, Guangzhou, turned professional in 2005 with team Paykan, had represented Azad University before moving on to Tabriz in 2009.

This Sprint specialist is ranked top in the 2010 UCI Asia Tour rankings with 466.66 points, with victories in the Asian Cycling Championships (ACC) and the current Iran road race National Champion.

The three European listed to complete the team are former Footon-Servetto rider Markus Eibegger, former rider for Fuji-Servetto and Katusha Continental Team, Boris Shpilevsky and returning for his second year with Tabriz, German rider Tobias Erler.

Eibegger’s skills cannot be underestimated; the 26-year-old rider who hails from Judenburg, Austria has proven his ability in LTdL 2010 when he claimed sixth place overall during his debut with Footon-Servetto, as well as his extensive experience competing in Giro d'Italia. With six victories in his professional career, Eibegger was also Austria’s national champion in 2009.

The Russian rider to strengthen Tabriz line-up is 28 years old Shpilevsky, who collected 24 stage wins throughout his career since his professional debut with team Preti Mangimi in 2007 to 2008. The Moscow born rider had previously rode for Fuji-Servetto in 2009 before being recruited in Katusha’s Continental team in 2010, with impressive victories at Giro del Friuli, Fleche du Sud and Firenze-Pistoia.

Tobias, 31, a former teacher who made a name in cycling, ranked fifth overall in Sprint Classification LTdL 2010. His vast experience racing in Asia since 2006 representing Giant Asia Racing before moving to 3C-Gruppe and Baier Landshut in 2009, this talented German rider is also among the contender for the Sprint classification.

CEO of Le Tour de Langkawi 2011, Mohamed Salleh believes that Tabriz will again evoke the participating teams this time. “Last year, Tabriz shocked everyone especially Spanish pro-tour team Footon-Servetto and ISD-Neri when they won the overall team classification, with the impressive combination of Iranians, German, Austrian and Russian riders making their way to our shores, this will be interesting to watch.”

TABRIZ PETROCHEMICAL TEAM LINE-UP:

Team Manager: Kazem KHATOUNABADI

Riders: Hossein Askari (IRI), Ghader Mizbani (IRI), mehdi Sohrabi (IRI), Markus EIBEGGER (AUT), SHPILEVSKY Boris (RUS), ERLER Tobias (GER).

Le Tour de Langkawi 2011 is organized by the Youth and Sports Ministry of Malaysia together with the Malaysian National Cycling Federation. The 2011 Tour is scheduled to be held from 23rd January to 1st February covers a total distance of 1315.4 kms with 10 stages, starting in Langkawi Island and ending at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.


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BM - SENTUHAN IRAN, JERMAN, AUSTRIA DAN RUSSIA PERKUAT TABRIZ


29 Disember 2010, KUALA LUMPUR: BERDASARKAN barisan terkuat yang disenaraikan untuk edisi Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2011, pasukan juara bertahan, Tabriz Petrochemical dari Iran tampil dengan lebih serius untuk mempertahankan kejuaraan keseluruhan berpasukan dan merebut jersi kuning juara individu keseluruhan pada edisi yang bermula 21 Januari hingga 1 Februari depan.

Selain mempertaruhkan dua daripada tiga pelumba yang berada dalam kelompok 10 teratas iaitu Hossein Askari dan Ghader Mizbani, Tabriz yang hadir bersama pengurus pasukan Kazem Khatounabadi, turut meletakkan pakar pecut Mehdi Sohrabi untuk mengejar kemenangan peringkat, selain tiga pelumba bukan Iran yang bukan calang-calang.

Askari tidak asing lagi bersama LTdL kerana selain pernah berkayuh untuk pasukan Telekom-Malaysia All Star, pelumba 35 tahun itu disenaraikan oleh Giant Asia Racing dan Tabriz ketika beberapa kali beraksi di LTdL.

Namun tidak dapat dinafikan, persembahan terbaiknya adalah ketika menduduki tangga ketiga keseluruhan pada edisi 2010, hanya tercicir 2 minit 39 saat di belakang pemenang jersi kuning keseluruhan, Jose Rujano Guillen yang mewakli ISD-Neri.

Sekali lagi, Askari akan menjadi tumpuan pada edisi 2011 apabila rakan pembantu, Mizbani dan Eibegger akan bersama-samanya untuk mencatat keputusan positif dalam dua pendakian berturut-turut ke Cameron Highlands dan Genting Highlands pada LTdL 2011 nanti.

Mizbani, 35, adalah pelumba Iran yang dianggap mempunyai kekuatan yang sama ketika mendaki dan dengan 46 kemenangan yang dikumpul sepanjang kariernya sejak 1999, Mizbani juga adalah antara calon yang akan merebut jersi kuning berprestij dan jersi Raja Bukit LTdL.

Dalam baki laluan peringkat landai pada LTdL 2011 ini, kelibat pecutan Sohrabi dijangka akan dapat disaksikan setiap kali peloton menghampiri garisan penamat kerana pakar pecut berusia 29 tahun itu diakui berpeluang untuk meraih kemenangan.

Memenangi pingat gangsa dalam acara Perlumbaan Mata di Sukan Asia Guangzhou, Sohrabi yang bergelar profesional pada 2005 bersama pasukan Paykan, pernah mewakili Azad University sebelum beralih kepada Tabriz pada 2009.

Pakar pecut ini menduduki senarai teratas dalam rangking Jelajah Asia UCI dengan 466.66 mata, dengan antara koleksi kemenangan tahun ini adalah di Kejohanan Berbasikal Asia (ACC), Peringkat 6 Tour of Qinghai Lake dan muncul juara kebangsaan Iran.

Tiga pelumba Eropah yang disenaraikan bagi edisi 2011 adalah bekas pelumba Footon-Servetto Markus Eibegger, bekas pelumba Fuji-Servetto dan Katusha, Boris Shpilerskiy dan pelumba Jerman yang akan tampil buat tahun kedua bersama Tabriz, Tobias Erler.

Kehebatan Eibegger juga tidak boleh dinafikan kerana pelumba kelahiran Judenburg, Austria berusia 26 tahun itu sudah terbukti dengan kemampuan menduduki tangga keenam keseluruhan pada penampilan sulung bersama Footon pada LTdL 2010, selain berpengalaman luas di pentas Giro d'Italia.

Dengan enam kemenangan dalam karier profesionalnya termasuk ketika mewakili pasukan ELK Haus-Simplon pada 2007 hingga 2009, Eibegger juga adalah juara kebangsaan Austria 2009.

Pelumba Russia yang memperkuatkan Tabriz adalah Shpilevsky, 28 tahun, yang mengumpul 24 kemenangan peringkat sepanjang karernya sejak bergelar pelumba profesional bersama pasukan Preti Mangimi pada 2007 hingga 2008.

Pelumba kelahiran Moscow ini juga dianggap berpengalaman luas kerana selain berkayuh di negaranya, dia juga pernah menyarung jersi Fuji-Servetto pada 2009 sebelum dilamar pasukan Katusha Continental pada tahun 2010, dengan kemenangan di Giro del Friuli, Fleche du Sud dan Firenze-Pistoia.

Tobias, 31, bekas guru yang mencipta nama dalam sukan berbasikal, juga antara karakter yang bakal mewarnai Tabriz dan LTdL 2011 kerana selain berpengalaman luas berlumba di Asia sejak mewakili Giant Asia Racing pada 2006 sebelum berpindah kepada pasukan 3C-Gruppe dan Baier Landshut pada 2009, pelumba Jerman ini juga berkemampuan untuk bersaing dalam merebut jersi Raja Pecut selepas menduduki tangga kelima keseluruhan pada LTdL 2010.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif LTdL 2011, Mohamed Salleh percaya bahawa pasukan ini akan menyemarakkan lagi penyertaan kelab Asia lain. “Tahun lalu, Tabriz Petrochemical Cycling Team mengejutkan beberapa pasukan ternama khususnya pasukan pro-tour yang didaftarkan di Sepanyol, Footon-Servetto dan ISD-Neri apabila menang kategori berpasukan keseluruhan.”

SENARAI PASUKAN TABRIZ PETROCHEMICAL

PENGURUS: KAZEM KHATOUNABADI

PELUMBA: HOSSEIN ASKARI (IRI), GHADER MIZBANI (IRI), MEHDI SOHRABI (IRI), MARKUS EIBEGGER (AUT), BORIS SHPILEVSKY (RUS), ERLER TOBIAS (GER).

Le Tour de Langkawi 2011 dianjurkan Kementerian Belia dan Sukan dan Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (MNCF). Jelajah yang bermula pada 23 Januari hingga 1 Februari ini membabitkan perlumbaan 10 peringkat dengan jarak keseluruhan 1,315.4 kilometer, bermula di Pulau Langkawi dan berakhir di Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.

tamat

Yellow Ride, Round 1 @ Jasin, Melaka

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2011!!

Pulse Media wishes all our friends and colleagues the very best for the new year and hope we'll work together again soon!

Pulse @ LTdL 2011 Yellow Ride Promo

AISAN RACING TEAM IS BACK TO CLAIM MORE WINS

23 December 2010, KUALA LUMPUR - AISAN Racing Team is the continental team that has carved a name among the local fans especially sprint specialist Taiji Nishitani, who will once again lead the challenge from the Japanese team in Le Tour de Langkawi 2011, from 23 January to 1 February.

Aisan opened eyes when they won a stage and ranked 12th overall and fifth in the Asian teams category in their first appearance in LTdL 2010.

With eight of the 10 stages in 2011 route involving flat courses, Nishitani is expected to continue to add into his collection of victories in LTdL, after winning Stage 4 from Mersing to Parit Sulong in the previous edition.

The 29 year old rider began making a name among local fans when he won Stage 6 in the 2009 edition of Jelajah Malaysia in Bera, and he is expected to get help from his teammate; Masashiro Shinagawa in the bunch sprint to the finish line.

Shinagawa, also a part of the team’s line-up in 2010, is considered the most experienced rider in the team because of his racing experience in Australia and Europe.

Previously riding for Skil Shimano, Shinagawa, 28, also raced in the classic Paris-Roubaix, a well respected rider in his native country; he emerged twice as the national champion in 2006 and 2009, as well as Japan's under-23 national champion.

Another rider to look out for is Kazuhiro Mori who raced under Aisan’s colors since 2006, also respected for his dominant ability in track events. Together with Nishitani they competed in the 4km team pursuit for Japan in the recent 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou. Mori had also been listed as the individual time trialist for Japan in the Asian Games and finished seventh overall.

Kenichi Suzuki and Takeaki Ayabe will be given the climber’s task to conquer two consecutive gruesome climbs up Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands for Aisan in the 2011 edition, both had competed in the previous edition and are surely familiar with the conditions in Malaysia.

Takeaki who previously represented Team Miyata-Subaru before being recruited to Aisan had extensive experience in Asian races. Another rider in the list racing in LTdL 2011 is Shimpei Fukuda.

The most interesting in the Aisan Team line-up for LTdL 2011 is their former rider Takumi Beppu has been assigned as team manager. Beppu who ranked 27th overall in LTdL last year had extensive racing experience with professional teams such as Jura Suisse and Mapei, also familiar with the intricacies of the route in Malaysia, Aisan is a strong force to be reckon with in this edition.

“With their former rider Beppu managing the team, I am certain that Aisan will give a competitive edge to the race. They gave quite a performance in 2010, I am excited to see what they have in store for next year.” said the CEO of Le Tour de Langkawi, Mohamed Salleh. “We are delighted to have them back in Malaysia.”

AISAN RACING TEAM LINE-UP:

TEAM MANAGER: Takumi Beppu

RIDERS: Taiji NISHITANI, Takeaki AYABE, Shimpei FUKUDA, Kazuhiro MORI, Masashiro SHINAGAWA, Kenichi SUZUKI

Le Tour de Langkawi 2011 is organized by the Youth and Sports Ministry of Malaysia together with the Malaysian National Cycling Federation. The 2011 Tour is scheduled to be held from 23rd January to 1st February covers a total distance of 1315.4 kms with 10 stages, starting in Langkawi Island and ending at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.

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BM - AISAN RACING TEAM KEMBALI MENGUKIR NAMA DI LTdL 2011

23 Disember 2010, KUALA LUMPUR: AISAN Racing Team adalah antara pasukan profesional benua yang semakin mengukir nama di kalangan peminat tempatan terutama pelumba pakar pecut Taiji Nishitani yang akan sekali lagi mengetuai cabaran pasukan dari Jepun itu pada Le Tour de Langkawi 2011, bermula 23 Januari depan.

Aisan membuka mata ramai apabila memenangi satu peringkat dan menduduki tangga ke-12 keseluruhan, serta kelima di kalangan pasukan Asia pada penampilan pertamanya di LTd 2010.

Dengan lapan daripada 10 peringkat dalam laluan LTdL 2011 kali ini membabitkan laluan landai, Nishitani dijangka akan terus cuba menambah koleksi kemenangan di LTdL, selepas menjuarai Peringkat 4 dari Mersing ke Parit Sulong pada edisi lalu.

Pelumba 29 tahun itu mula mencipta nama di kalangan peminat tempatan apabila memenangi Peringkat 6 Jelajah Malaysia 2009 di Bera dan dia dijangka akan mendapat bantuan daripada rakan sepasukan, Masashiro Shinagawa untuk menghiasi adegan pecut beramai-ramai ke garisan penamat pada LTdL kali ini.

Shinagawa yang turut mengambil bahagian dalam edisi lalu, dianggap pelumba paling berpengalaman dalam pasukan Aisan kerana pengalaman luas berlumba di Australia dan Eropah sebelum ini.

Pernah menyertai pasukan Skil Shimano, Shinagawa, 29, juga pernah berlumba dalam perlumbaan klasik Paris-Roubaix, selain menjadi pelumba dihormati di negara kelahirannya kerana pernah muncul sebagai juara kebangsaan dua kali pada 2006 dan 2009, selain menjadi juara kebangsaan Bawah 23 Jepun.

Seorang lagi pelumba Aisan yang wajar diberi perhatian adalah Kazuhiro Mori yang sudah berada bersama-sama Aisan sejak 2006, dan turut dihormati kerana kemampuannya menguasai acara trek dan bersama-sama Nishitani dalam skuad 4km kejar-mengejar Jepun di Sukan Asia Guangzhou 2010.

Mori turut disenaraikan sebagai pelumba ujian masa individu lebuh raya oleh Jepun pada Sukan Asia lalu dan menduduki tempat ketujuh keseluruhan.

Tugas mendaki bagi pasukan Aisan dijangka dipikul Kenichi Suzuki dan Takeaki Ayabe yang turut bersaing pada LTdL lalu.

Takeaki yang pernah mewakili pasukan Miyata-Subaru sebelum dilamar Aisan dan berpengalaman luas dalam perlumbaan di serata Asia, dijangka membantu dengan Kenichi dalam dua pendakian sukar berturut-turut ke Cameron Highlands dan Genting Highlands pada edisi 2011 ini.

Seorang lagi pelumba pasukan senarai enam pelumba Aisan pada LTdL 2011 ialah Shimpei Fukuda.

Paling menarik, Aisan menyenaraikan bekas pelumbanya yang menduduki tangga ke-27 keseluruhan tahun lalu, Takumi Beppu sebagai pengurus pasukan dan dengan pengalaman luas bersama pasukan profesional Jura Suisse dan Mapei serta arif dengan selok-belok laluan di Malaysia, Aisan adalah pasukan yang perlu diberi perhatian pada edisi kali ini.

"Dengan bekas pelumba mereka Beppu menguruskan pasukan, saya yakin bahawa Aisan akan memberikan saingan kompetitif untuk perlumbaan kali ini. Mereka memberi persembahan yang cukup hebat pada 2010, saya bersemangat untuk melihat apa yang mereka miliki untuk tahun depan." kata CEO Le Tour de Langkawi, Mohamed Salleh. "Kami gembira mereka kembali bersaing di Malaysia."

SENARAI PASUKAN AISAN RACING TEAM:

PENGURUS PASUKAN: Takumi Beppu

PELUMBA: Taiji NISHITANI, Takeaki AYABE, Shimpei FUKUDA, Kazuhiro MORI, Masashiro SHINAGAWA, Kenichi SUZUKI

Le Tour de Langkawi 2011 dianjurkan Kementerian Belia dan Sukan dan Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (MNCF). Jelajah yang bermula pada 23 Januari hingga 1 Februari ini membabitkan perlumbaan 10 peringkat dengan jarak keseluruhan 1,315.4 kilometer, bermula di Pulau Langkawi dan berakhir di Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.

tamat

SKIL-SHIMANO WITH A STRONG DUTCH-JAPANESE ALLIANCE

21 December 2010, Kuala Lumpur - Skil-Shimano will be a team to watch during the 2011 Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) from January 23rd to February 1st. They’ll return to Malaysia with a strong line up of sprinters and high ambitions for their Japanese climber Yukihiro Doi who is no stranger to the event as he already made the top 10 overall in 2007 and he has improved a lot since.

“We’ll come with strong and motivated riders, including our sprinter Kenny van Hummel who collected five bunch sprint victories in 2009 and ten in 2010”, warned team manager Iwan Spekenbrink. Van Hummel became famous during the 2009 Tour de France, the only one the Skil-Shimano team took part in, as he struggled alone in the mountains and fought hard with the label of lanterne rouge (the last rider on GC). His courage touched the heart of media and fans but he’s above all a great sprinter likely to shine as a stage winner at LTdL.

The Japanese branch of the Skil-Shimano previously took part in the event but this will be the first participation of the established and well respected Dutch-based squad. Doi is the link between the two sponsors. He remained the only Japanese on the roster but he’s also one of the best climbers in the team. In 2007, he led the Asian classification of Le Tour de Langkawi for a few days but eventually passed the blue jersey onto Iran’s Ghader Mizbani. He finished eighth on GC in an edition that featured Tour de France stage winners Thomas Voeckler, Sylvain Calzati and Sandy Casar, just to name a few. Since then, Doi has moved to the Netherlands and improved both his English and his cycling skills. He finished sixth in the 2010 Tour of Turkey won by Italian star Giovanni Visconti. “I’m happy with my development as a cyclist with Skil-Shimano”, said the Japanese who is a potential winner for the 2011 LTdL overall.

In this Dutch-Japanese alliance, another ace will be Mitchell Docker from Australia. He led the 2008 Le Tour de Langkawi for one day riding for Drapac-Porsche before heading to Europe. He’s a fast rider who will target stage wins. Skil-Shimano’s recruit from the defunct Cervélo TestTeam Martin Reimer who was the 2009 German national champion will be another super talent to be watched closely during the ten days of racing.

“The participation of Skil-Shimano to Le Tour de Langkawi will bring media attention from the Netherlands but also from Japan, Australia and Germany, that’s why we’re delighted to have them racing on Malaysian soil”, said the CEO of Le Tour de Langkawi Mohamed Salleh. “Most of these riders and their staff have never visited the beautiful island of Langkawi, where we’re bringing the start of the race back after three years. I’m pretty sure they’ll love the place.”

SKIL-SHIMANO TEAM LINE UP:

TEAM MANAGER: Iwan Spekenbrink

RIDERS: Mitchell DOCKER (Aus), Koen DE KORT (Ned), Kenny VAN HUMMEL (Ned), Albert TIMMER (Ned), Yukihiro DOI (Jap) and Martin REIMER (Ger).

Le Tour de Langkawi 2011 is organized by the Youth and Sports Ministry of Malaysia together with the Malaysian National Cycling Federation. The 2011 Tour is scheduled to be held from 23rd January to 1st February covers a total distance of 1315.4 kms with 10 stages, starting in Langkawi Island and ending at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.

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BM: SKIL-SHIMANO TAMPIL DENGAN GABUNGAN KEKUATAN BELANDA-JEPUN

21 December 2010, Kuala Lumpur - Skil-Shimano akan menjadi pasukan yang perlu diberi perhatian pada Le Tour de Langkawi 2011 (LTdL), 23 Januari hingga 1 Februari depan. Mereka kembali ke Malaysia dengan barisan handalan pekar pecut dengan matlamat besar menerusi pakar mendaki Yukihiro Doi yang tidak asing lagi dalam jelajah ini kerana pernah mencatat keputusan kelompok 10 teratas dalam edisi 2007 dan terus meningkat sejak itu.

“Kami dating dengan pelumba yang handal dan bermotivasi, termasuk pelumba pecut Kenny van Hummel yang sudah mengumpul lima kemenangan hasil pecutan beramai-ramai terakhir pada 2009 dan 2010,” kata pengurus pasukan Iwan Spekenbrink. Van Hummel mula menjadi perhatian ketika Tour de France 2009, dan satu-satunya pelumba Skil Shimano yang tinggal dan bermati-matian bersaing sebagai pelumba terakhir dalam senarai keseluruhan.

Semangat juang tingginya itu menyentuh ramai terutama di kalangan peminat dan media tetapi dia tetap dianggap seorang pakar pecut yang mampu menyinar untuk merebut kemenangan peringkat pada LTdL nanti.

Pelumba kelahiran Jepun menganggotai keseluruhan skuad Skil-Shimano yang pernah mengambil bahagian dalam penampilan kali pertama mereka dulu tetapi kali ini mereka sudah menjadi pasukan lebih berpengalaman dan dihormati.

Doi dianggap penghubung kepada kedua-dua penaja pasukan itu. Dia kekal menjadi satu-satunya pelumba Jepun dalam senarai pasukan kali ini tetapi dia juga adalah pakar pendaki utama.

Pada 2007, dia mendahului senarai pelumba Asia terbaik di LTdL untuk beberapa hari sebelum dipintas pelumba Iran, Ghader Mizbani. Dia akhirnya mendududki tangga kelapan keseluruhan dalam edisi yang turut dihiasi pemenang peringkat di Tour de France, antaranya Thomas Voeckler, Sylvain Calzati dan Sandy Casar. Sejak itu, Doi berhijrah ke Belanda dan memperbaiki penguasaan bahasa Inggeris dan kemahiran berkayuh.

Dia menamatkan saingan Tour of Turkey di tempat keenam keseluruhan dalam jelajah yang dimenangi pelumba bintang Itali, Giovanni Visconti. “Saya gembira dengan peningkatan saya sebagai pelumba bersama Skil-Shimano,” kata pelumba Jepun itu yang dianggap berpotensi mencabar jersi kuning LTdL 2011.

Dalam penggabungan Belanda-Jepun ini, seorang lagi pelumba yang wajar diberi perhatian adalah pelumba kelahiran Australia, Mitchell Docker yang pernah muncul pendahulu selama sehari pada LTdL 2008 ketika berkayuh untuk pasukan Drapac-Porsche, sebelum mengembangkan sayapnya di Eropah.

Docker dianggap pelumba pecut berkebolehan dengan sasaran untuk memenangi peringkat dalam lapan daripada 10 laluan pada LTdL 2011 ini. Skil-Shimano juga melamar pelumba baru daripada pasukan Cervélo TestTeam yang kini dibubarkan, Martin Reimer yang muncul juara kebangsaan Jerman pada 2009 dan dianggap antara bintang yang mampu menyinar dalam edisi LTdL kali ini.

“Penyertaan Skil-Shimano dalam Le Tour de Langkawi akan menarik perhatian pihak media bukan saja dari Belanda tetapi juga Jepun, Australia dan Jerman. Sebab itulah kami berbesar hati mereka dapat berlumba di Malaysia,” kata Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif (CEO) LTdL 2011, Mohamed Salleh.

“Kebanyakan pelumba dan pegawai dalam pasukan ini tidak pernah melawat dan menyaksikan keindahan Pulau Langkawi yang akan menjadi lokasi permulaan LTdL 2011. Saya pasti mereka akan terpikat dengan keindahannya.”

BARISAN PELUMBA SKIL-SHIMANO:

PENGURUS PASUKAN: Iwan Spekenbrink

PEUMBA: Mitchell DOCKER (AUS), Koen DE KORT (NED), Kenny VAN HUMMEL (NED), Albert TIMMER (NED), Yukihiro DOI (JPN), Martin REIMER (GER).

Le Tour de Langkawi 2011 dianjurkan oleh Kementerian belia dan Sukan bersama-sama Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (MNCF). LTdL 2011 dijadualkan berlangsung dari 23 Januari hingga 1 Februari, membabitkan jarak keseluruhan 1,315.4 km dengan 10 peringkat, bermula di Pulau Langkawi dan ebrakhir di Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.

tamat

KL HERITAGE HUNT 2010 KETENGAHKAN 16 LOKASI MENARIK DI KUALA LUMPUR

18 Disember 2010, Kuala Lumpur - KL Heritage Hunt 2010 adalah acara anjuran Pejabat Kementerian Pelancongan Malaysia Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur/Putrajaya sebagai salah satu daya tarikan untuk mengenali Kuala Lumpur secara dekat khususnya tapak dan lokasi warisan di sekitar bandaraya metropolitan ini.

Sebanyak 16 lokasi telah dikenalpasti dengan nilai-nilai warisannya tersendiri. Lokasi terbabit melibatkan kawasan Masjid Jamek, Mahkamah Sesyen dan Majistret, Panggung Bandaraya, Mahkamah Tinggi, Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad, Mahkamah Perusahaan, Pejabat Pos Lama dan Dataran Merdeka.

Selain itu, Muzium Tekstil. Air Terjun Dataran Merdeka, Muzium Sejarah Nasional, Perpustakaan Kuala Lumpur, Kelab Royal Selangor, Cathedral of St Mary dan Masjid India turut tersenarai sebagai lokasi menarik di Kuala Lumpur.

Melalui acara tahunan ini, orang ramai dan pelancong akan didedahkan kepada destinasi pelancongan dan dapat memahami budaya masyarakat tempatan di negara ini yang menetap di sekitar Kuala Lumpur. Selain itu, penyertaan masyarakat pelbagai bangsa dan agama juga secara tidak langsung melambangkan perpaduan rakyat Malaysia sejajar dengan gagasan 1Malaysia yang diperkenalkan oleh Yang Amat Berhormat Perdana Menteri Malaysia Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Ini juga dapat memberi gambaran positif kepada pelancong yang bertandang ke Kuala Lumpur.

Acara KL Heritage 2010 ini terbuka kepada 50 pasangan yang terdiri daripada lelaki dan wanita seperti pasangan ayah dan anak, kakak dan abang, suami dan isteri dan sebagainya berumur 16 tahun ke atas.

Mereka akan dibahagikan kepada dua atau tiga kumpulan dengan laluan berbeza bagi mengelakkan kesesakan. Peserta pula perlu sampai di tempat yang ditetapkan dan melaksanakan tugasan yang diberi sebelum dibenarkan bergerak ke lokasi seterusnya.

Para peserta hanya dibenarkan menggunakan perkhidmatan awam seperti Star LRT, Monorail dan Bas RapidKL sebagai pengangkutan mereka dari satu lokasi ke lokasi yang seterusnya. Peserta yang berjaya melaksanakan dengan sempurna segala arahan dan pertama kembali ke lokasi permulaan iaitu di MATIC, Jalan Ampang adalah pemenang.

Pelepasan acara KL Heritage Hunt 2010 akan dilakukan oleh Puan Noor Hidayah Zainal Abidin, Penolong Pengarah Pejabat Kementerian Pelancongan Malaysia pada pukul 10 pagi di MATIC, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. Majlis penyampaian hadiah pula dilakukan oleh Puan Yuhaini Yusoff, Pengarah Pejabat Kementerian Pelancongan Malaysia Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur / Putrajaya.

UNITEDHEALTHCARE ON THE FAST RISE

14 December 2010, Kuala Lumpur - Newly upgraded American outfit UnitedHealthcare will make their debut at Le Tour de Langkawi with a line up of mostly fast men.

The Malaysian event will be the first step of the international extension of the US team that has been very active on the transfers market worldwide. They attracted no less than German sprinter Robert Förster who is a Tour of Italy stage winner and an experienced Tour de France rider. Their recruit from ill-fated team Milram will start riding for a foreign team for the first time at the age of 33 when LTdL will kick off on the paradisiacal island of Langkawi on January 23rd.

Team director Mike Tamayo announced: “Le Tour de Langkawi has been a staple when you think of quality events at the beginning of the season. We are excited to take part in this year’s edition. Le Tour de Langkawi always holds an excellent event that sets the tone for the start of the season. Team UnitedHealthcare is hoping to use it as an opportunity to debut our international season.” European events are also scheduled for the first time by the Californian based squad.

Promoted by the UCI as a Pro Continental team, UnitedHealthcare obviously wants to make an impact as soon as the new season will begin. Le Tour de Langkawi enjoys a great reputation in the US since teams called Shaklee and Saturn collected the first American stage wins as early as in 1997 with Eric Wohlberg, Frank McCormack and Brian Walton. Chris Horner won the overall classification of Le Tour de Langkawi for Mercury in 2000, so did Tom Danielson for Saturn in 2003.

“We have a long tradition of American teams taking part in our event”, said the CEO of Le Tour de Langkawi Mohamed Salleh. “This is part of Malaysian hospitality. We want cyclists from all over the world to attend. Once again all the continents will be represented at LTdL in 2011.”

Another tradition of the Malaysian hors-category race is the bunch sprint finishes. That’s why Tamayo has given priority to his fast men as he determined his line up.
“We are bringing a fast team with Robert Forster, Boy Van Poppel, Hilton Clarke and Karl Menzies”, said the team director. “Our climbers for the two GC deciding days are Chris Jones and Max Jenkins. With so many opportunities for bunch sprints, we aligned our roster selection in a way to pursue stages.”

THE UNITEDHEALTHCARE TEAM LINE-UP:
RIDERS : Hilton CLARKE (Aus), Robert FÖRSTER (Ger), Max JENKINS (USA), Chris JONES (USA), Karl MENZIES (Aus), Boy VAN POPPEL (Ned)

Le Tour de Langkawi 2011 is organized by the Youth and Sports Ministry of Malaysia together with the Malaysian National Cycling Federation. The 2011 Tour is scheduled to be held from 23rd January to 1st February covers a total distance of 1315.4 kms with 10 stages, starting in Langkawi Island and ending at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.

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MUHAMMAD RAFIQ IS THE 2010 MALAYSIAN RALLY CHAMPION!

12 December 2010 - KANGAR, PERLIS - Muhammad Rafiq is the 2010 Malaysian Rally champion.

Karamjit Singh was simply too fast and too good in the fourth and final round of the 2010 Malaysia Rally in Kangar but still it wasn't good enough to land him the overall title.

Instead it was Muhammad Rafiq Udhaya in a Subaru Impreza who finally got the crown which he deserved even though he and his co-driver Sean Gregory, could only managed third overall in Kangar over two tough rounds amidst treacherous conditions.

The hard work for Muhammad Rafiq had been done much earlier in the opening leg in Johor Baru and then Jempol, Negeri Sembilan and also Kuala Terengganu, which left him in a unbeatable position as the final round got underway on Saturday.

With a very healthy lead going into Kangar, Muhammad Rafiq who is racing under the MRU banner took it easy and finished third on both days for an overall total of 55 points.

Karamjit's effort in Kangar which saw him and co-driver Douglas Pickering in a Mitsubishi Lancer under the GSR Pennzoil banner, swept past the field on both days with no close challenger in sight.

Gunaseelan Rajoo and Jagdev Singh in a Mitsubishi Lancer under the GSR Pennzoil Team tried but they knew Karamjit was unbeatable they ended up second best to Karamjit with a good four minute deficit over the two legs across the muddy terrain in Kangar.

Karamjit and Pickering wrapped up the series on a total of 32 points to finish second overall with Andrew Miller from Hong Kong in a Subaru Impreza came in third overall on 23 points.

"I lost the overall crown because of the mechanical failures I had suffered in Johor Baru and Kuala Terengganu. Otherwise things could have turned out differently.”

"Maybe it's time I get a newer car, a more reliable one and mount a
serious challenge next season. Maybe a newer and more reliable car will help" said Karamjit.

For Muhammad Rafiq, Karamjit is still the man to beat if he harbors hope another crown next season.

"He is such a talented driver and it will get harder for me too next year.
I am sure he has revenge on his mind. But for now I can savour my victory
until next year" said Muhammad Rafiq.

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KARAMJIT DOMINATES LEG 1 IN-SPITE OF MUDDY CONDITIONS IN PERLIS

11 December 2010 - KANGAR, PERLIS - The fire still burns in Karamjit Singh even though the overall 2010 Malaysian Rally crown is now out of hands.

He gave a perfect demonstration of his abilities and his determination to win in his overwhelming victory at the opening day of the fourth and final round of the Malaysian Rally in Kangar.

So dominant was his victory yesterday that the champion elect, Muhammad Rafiq Udhaya and co-driver Douglas Pickering in their Subaru Impreza were left trailing in his wake.

For Karamjit, there is still the second placed overall finish behind Muhammad Rafiq to fight for and it was clear that the former World Rally Champion had a point to prove.

He led off the rally and his expert handling of the muddy terrain was clear to see as he overwhelmed the rest of the field, giving a clear signal that he meant business.

And by the time he completed the sixth and final stage, totaling 79.9 kilometres, in a total time of 1hr 13:08.2secs, no one could come close to him. Muhammad Rafiq finished second overall in 1hr: 16:21.2secs with Gunaseelan Rajoo and co-driver Jagdev Singh in a Mitsubishi Lancer third in 1hr: 16:58.8secs.

"All of us never doubted Karamjit's talent. But today I am driving under a different set of circumstances. And when you enter a race knowing well that whatever happens in the end and you will still be champion, it's a different feeling.”

"I told my co-driver Sean (Gregory) before the start of the race that we need to compete but to finish in the top three would be enough. Also the conditions are not good. Rain over the past couple of days in Kangar has made the track very muddy. And in fact we suffered some minor problems like overheating and suspension problem too," said Muhammad Rafiq.

There is still another six more stages on Sunday before they crown Muhammad Rafiq the champion and until then he is still looking forward to finishing off the season in style and let the rest worry over the minor placings.

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MUHAMMAD RAFIQ IS OUT TO PROVE HE DESERVES THE OVERALL MRC 2010 TITLE IN PERLIS

10 December 2010, KANGAR, PERLIS - Muhammad Rafiq Udhaya is the new overall 2010 Malaysian Rally champion even before he sits behind the steering wheel of his Subaru Impreza.

All he has got to do is to turn up for the fourth and final round of the championship over the weekend at the Tasoh Lake Resort in Kangar, Perlis with his co-driver Sean Gregory and claim the title he so richly deserve.

With a total of 40 points collected over the previous three legs- Johor Baru, Seremban, Kuala Terengganu- Muhammad Rafiq sits pretty on the top with an unassailable lead over the second placed team of Muhamad Siraj Abdullah and Abi Redzuan in a Proton Neo Satria who are on 18 points.

Third overall is Karamjit Singh and co driver Douglas Pickering in a Mitsubishi Lancer on 16 points, a situation even the man they dubbed the Flying Sikh, a former world rally champion, could not overcome this time.

But for Muhammad Rafiq who is driving under the MRU Racing team banner, the final round in Kangar, is yet another competition where he hopes to prove that he deserves the overall title.

"I have put in a lot of hard work over the past 12 months and all my effort has paid off. But I still want to show the rally fraternity that I am in the sport for the long haul. That means I will give my best in Kangar even though I have the overall title in the bag already," said Muhammad Rafiq.

And his participation in Kangar has been given a huge psychological boost with his 7th overall finish in the recent Rally of China in Lohu where 92 cars took part.

But for Karamjit, the 2010 Malaysian Rally has been a season of so many twist and turns with a broken gear shaft and mechanical problems which was to cost him dearly.

At one stage he was in serious contention for the crown with only eight points separating him and the leader, until last month at the third round in Kenyir Lake in Kuala Terengganu where his gear box gave way and his hopes lie shattered.

Which is why Muhamad Siraj and his Proton Satria Neo of the MRU Racing team has leapt into second placed overall but Karamjit is still very much in contention for a consolation second placed finish leaving Muhammad Rafiq to celebrate his success.

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