Le Tour de Langkawi 2017 Route

THE TOUGHEST TEST YET FOR LE TOUR DE LANGKAWI

PUTRAJAYA, 22 December 2017 : The 22nd edition of Le Tour de Langakawi (LTdL) from 22nd February to 1st March 2017 will truly be seen as a year when the most evident switch towards the future of Asia biggest cycling event being secured, apart from the usual business of an exciting eight stages of racing on the cards.

While the economic situations threatens to take centrestage, the organisers Ciclista Sports Sdn Bhd and the Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia have ensured LTdL powers on through testing times with resilience.

Kicking off from the heartland of Malaysian cycling in the East Coast of the Peninsula, LTdL 2017 will take on a rare anti-clockwised route to the West, covering scenic and popular cycling routes which fans can easily relate to.

But there will be no easy days in the saddle this time around.

If Stage 1, a short 130km blast from Kuala Berang to Kuala Terengganu in Terengganu can expectedly present the sprinters with the early honours, the 208.1km Stage 2 will see the peloton start off massaged by coastal winds from the South China Sea, but end up across the Titiwangsa Range that splits the two coasts, with the finish in Gerik.

Stage 3 from Serdang (Kedah) to Pantai Remis may be short, but it will be tricky too with a rushing peloton expected to cover the 118km swiftly for another sprinters show in a bunch sprint.

Cameron Highlands again offers itself as the queen stage of the race, with a 174km route that starts in Seri Manjung, meaning the peloton will be stretched out, with the general classification battle taking centrestage.

Stage 5 will offer a touch of the traditional, with a 148.8km stage starting in Tapah and ending in what used to be the traditional setting for the grand finish of the race, the Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur.

The sixth day sees another race towards a traditional cycling hotbed, starting in Senawang and ending in Muar, Johor, before the penultimate stage sees the peloton head back towards the Klang Valley with a 148km stage from Malacca to Bandar Baru Bangi.

LTdL 2017 then ends with a parade from Setiawangsa in Kuala Lumpur, into the administrative capital of Putrajaya, where a six-lap procession around a 6km circuit awaits before the final finish line of this edition.

Minister of Youth and Sports YB Brigadier Jeneral Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar admitted this edition to be full of challenges, but he remained confident that an exciting edition will nevertheless be delivered yet again.

"It will be a very challenging year in 2017, because the Ministry of Youth and Sports will be focused on the organisation of the Sea Games, which Malaysia is hosting," said YB Khairy.

"The ministry has had to cancel, postpone or reduce the budgets of other sporting events due to the focus and priority in terms of finances given to the Sea Games, but seeing the popularity of LTdL and its importance as a sports tourism event for the nation, we decided it has to continue, even with a reduced budget," he added.

Khairy said a decision was made upon discussion with Ciclista Sports Sdn Bhd, that despite the budget cuts and various cost-cutting measures, the quality of the race will not be jeopardised.

"Ciclista Sports also understands that for an event such as this to survive in the long run, it's funding has to be fully sourced from corporate sponsors and no longer rely on government funds," he said.

LTdL 2017 Chief Executive Officer Emir Abdul Jalal agreed that this could be the toughest edition yet in terms of the challenges faces in organising the event, but despite that, the standards and quality of the event will be maintained.

"This may be the toughest year ever for us to organise, given the current economic situation and the limited budget, but we will endeavour to deliver an equally exciting race for the fans and spectators," said Emir.

"We have been working towards fully corporatising the event for some time now and that focus will remain. We are fully focused towards getting corporate sponsors on board to bring the race forward into the future."

Emir said despite the budget cuts, the standards of the race will still adhere to requirements set by the International Cycling Union (UCI) as a 2.HC status event on the UCI Asia Tour calendar.

"Of course, budget cuts are budget cuts. It means we will not be able to put on a lavish race with too many luxuries. But the standards of organisation and the quality of racing will be maintained," said Emir.

Le Tour De Langkawi 2017 Route

Stage 1 -  Wed, 22 February 2017 : Kuala Berang - Kuala Terengganu (130 km)
Stage 2 -  Thurs, 23 February 2017 : Jerteh – Gerik (208.1 km)
Stage 3 -  Fri, 24 February 2017 :  Serdang – Pantai Remis (118 km)
Stage 4 -  Sat, 25 February 2017 : Seri Manjung – Cameron Highlands (174 km)
Stage 5 -  Sun, 26 February 2017 : Tapah – Dataran Merdeka (148.8 km)
Stage 6 - Mon, 27 February 2017 : Senawang – Muar (176.3 km)
Stage 7 - Tues, 28 February 2017 : Bandaraya Melaka – Bandar Baru Bangi (148.8 km)
Stage 8 - Wed, 1 March 2017 : Setiawangsa – Putrajaya (121 km)
TOTAL DISTANCE : 1,225 km

KL POLICE CHIEF UNVEILS OCBC CYCLE KL 2016 ROUTE FEATURING 14KM OF CLOSED ROADS IN THE CITY

Datuk Naim Mohamad addresses the guests and media

Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Commissioner Datuk Amar Singh Ishar Singh announces the road closures

Presenting the OCBC Cycle KL 2016 Route

Sponsors were also presented to the media

KL POLICE CHIEF UNVEILS OCBC CYCLE KL 2016 ROUTE FEATURING 14KM OF CLOSED ROADS IN THE CITY

Kuala Lumpur, 7 November 2016 – The Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Commissioner Datuk Amar Singh Ishar Singh today unveiled the route for the upcoming OCBC Cycle KL 2016, spanning 14 kilometres across some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks. Participants will cycle three times round the circuit in their quest to complete the 42km ride.

At the same event, Datuk Amar Singh welcomed OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad’s role as title sponsor of OCBC Cycle KL 2016. The other sponsors unveiled were Great Eastern Life Assurance, Warisan Outdoor, Cycling Malaysia, 100 Plus, F&N Magnolia, KPJ Healthcare, Malindo Air, Inno Advance Car Racer, Garmin Malaysia, Ciclista, N8 Sports Nutrition, Sunplay, Phiten, After Shokz, Trek Finder Tours, Tire Care.

Organised by Multigreen Events, OCBC Cycle KL 2016, takes place on 13 November 2016 at Dataran Merdeka starting at 6.30am. The event is supported by Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the Malaysian National Cycling Federation.

Speaking at the OCBC Cycle KL 2016 route unveiling press conference today, Datuk Amar Singh gave the thumbs up to the upcoming mass participation cycling event on closed public roads saying all preparations were well underway to make it a safe, smooth and successful event.

“The event has already seen more than 2,000 signing up, with several overseas participants as well. This is much higher than last year and augurs well for both sports and tourism in Kuala Lumpur. On our part, we will ensure the necessary closures are in place and that traffic remains smooth and safe for everyone,” he said.

Sharing the details of the route, Datuk Naim Mohamad, Chairman of the OCBC Cycle KL 2016 Implementation Committee said OCBC Cycle KL 2016 flags off at Dataran Merdeka and takes riders through familiar roads such as Jalan Raja, Jalan Sultan Salahuddin, Jalan Tun Ismail, Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Ampang, Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Dang Wangi, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin.

“The most distinct changes from last year is the introduction of an additional 7 kilometre stretch through Open University adn IU Wales Malaya University. We are sure the participants will enjoy the scenic views provided by this addition.

“We are grateful for the support from Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) who have been working closely with us to ensure smooth traffic movements and public safety on event day. This includes efficient planning to communicate the traffic movements to the public,” he said.

OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad Head of Customer Experience En Dzulkifly Aminuddin, who was present at the event, said the Bank is excited about the new route, which promises to be more challenging and enjoyable. 

“We are set for an enthralling experience this year, with fewer loops over the same distance. The cycling community can look forward to a memorable morning soaking in more of the city’s beauty and iconic sites compared to last year. And they will be joined by about 300 of OCBC Bank’s own staff from both Malaysia and Singapore,” he said.

*photos by Billy Liau, Cycling Malaysia Magazine

JELAJAH MALAYSIA IS BACK

YB Khairy Jamaluddin, Youth and Sports Minister of Malaysia addresses the guests and media.

YB Khairy officiates the launch of Jelajah Malaysia 2016.

KUALA LUMPUR, Thursday, 15^th September 2016 : The Jelajah Malaysia returns with it's 2016 edition set to feature 20 teams from throughout the Asia Pacific region in a five-stage race scheduled from October 18 to 22 covering six states on Peninsula Malaysia.

Leading the charge this time will be Malaysia's top team Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG), who are currently fifth in the UCI Asia Tour overall teams rankings and will be taking on some of the best teams in the continental series in the form of star-studded United Arab Emirates outfit Skydive Dubai, Iran's Pishgaman team, South Korea's KSPO and Indonesia's Pegasus Cycling Team.

In all, eight of the 21 teams that make up the start list of this edition of Asia's oldest cycling tour, with Malaysia also represented by the NSC-Mycron team, the Malaysian national team, Armed Forces, PDRM, KLCA, Terengganu and Kedah.

Making their Jelajah Malaysia debuts will be Laos-registered UCI Continental team Black Inc Cycling Team, Australia's Data #3 Cisco and Indonesia's KFC Cycling Team, with the Indonesian national team making their return alongside the Hong Kong national team, Japan's Kinan Cycling Team, 7 Eleven Sava RVP of the Philippines and Tabriz Shadari of Iran.

Launched by Youth and Sports Minister Yang Berhormat Encik Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar today, the race will bring the peloton from the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur through Selangor, Kelantan, Perak, Terengganu and Pahang, visiting 10 different start and finish venues along the way.

Organised by the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF), with endorsement of the Youth and Sports Ministry and the National Sports Council (NSC), this edition of the Jelajah Malaysia is again managed by Peloton Resources with Gerakan Belia Gagasan 1Malaysia (GBG1M) as event partner.

The Jelajah Malaysia 2016 is sanctioned by the International Cycling Union (UCI) as a 2.2 status event on the UCI Asia Tour calendar and aims to be a platform for the overall development of cycling in the region.

Jelajah Malaysia is Asia's first international cycling stage race, initiated by the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) upon its establishment by founder Mr Gurchan Singh Gill in 1963 as a platform for the training and preparation of Asian cyclists competing in the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

JELAJAH MALAYSIA 2016 ROUTE

STAGE 1, 18 Oct 2016 :        Kuala Lumpur – Ipoh (206.6km)

STAGE 2, 19 Oct 2016 :        Infoternak Sungai Siput – Brinchang (108.7km)

STAGE 3, 20 Oct 2016 :        Gua Musang – Pasir Puteh (163km)

STAGE 4, 21 Oct 2016 :        Machang – Gong Badak (124.8km)

STAGE 5, 22 Oct 2016 :        Kemaman – Kuala Terengganu (147.1km)

TOTAL DISTANCE : 750.2km

The jerseys in contention being presented.

YB Khairy Jamaluddin answers questions from the media.

TINKOFF’S ERIK BASKA IS A NEW FAST MAN TO WATCH

Watch out for Erik Baska

Tinkoff at the 2015 team presentation

SHAH ALAM, 12 February 2016 - World Tour outfit Tinkoff will catch a lot of attention when they’ll go on stage in Alor Setar for the teams presentation on the eve of stage 1 of the 21^st Le Tour de Langkawi set to kick off from Kangar (Perlis) on February 24 and come to a conclusion in historical Malacca on March 2^nd.

Russian veterans Pavel Brutt, 34, and Evgeny Petrov, 37, will be the guides for Slovakian young sprinters Erik Baska and Michael Kolar as well as Danish GC contender Jesper Hansen who finished sixth at Le Tour de Langkawi last year before he claimed the Tour of Norway overall.

Baska is a new name in professional cycling. He joined the Russian squad after he won the u23 European championship last year. He collected his first encouraging result as a pro last week as he finished ninth in the last stage of the Dubai Tour in a bunch sprint won by Marcel Kittel ahead of Elia Viviani and Mark Cavendish, all world class fast finishers.

“It’s been great to be able to sprint with those guys”, Baska explained. “The Dubai Tour was my first pro race after I already learned a lot from the experienced riders of the Tinkoff team at a training camp in the Canary Islands. It was also a perfect preparation for me ahead of Le Tour de Langkawi, which is a race I’m really looking forward to.”

The 22 year old got to know a lot of details about the Malaysian event from his compatriot Kolar who made seven top 10 in 2014 and finished third in the conclusive stage of LTdL in Kuala Lumpur last year. “I know it’s a great event for sprinters and I’m also a sprinter, that’s how I won the European championship from a group of approximately fifty riders last year”, Baska said.

At the continental meet in Tartu, Estonia, he was advised by Adam Szabo who is now the coach for Malaysian continental team Terengganu (TSG). Baska, Kolar and Szabo come from the entourage of current world champion and cycling super star Peter Sagan.

“I can’t say if I’m the new Sagan or not but I’m determined to learn my job by supporting him when I’ll get a chance to race with him”, added Baska who hails from 50km away from Sagan’s native town Zilina. The Tinkoff team will be directed at LTdL by another Slovakian, Jan Valach, who recently joined the Russian organization.

“It’s fantastic for us to welcome Tinkoff once again”, commented the CEO of Le Tour de Langkawi Emir Abdul Jalal. “We were the first HC race to give them a start in 2007 and Brutt took their first ever victory in Seremban. They’ve grown a lot since but they haven’t forgotten what Malaysia did for them when they were looking for invitations. I’m grateful to team manager Stefano Feltrin for that. I also believe Tinkoff can be very successful at our event this year.”

THE TINKOFF TEAM FOR THE 2016 LE TOUR DE LANGKAWI:

Pavel Brutt (Rus), Michael Gogl (Aut), Jesper Hansen (Den), Michael Kolar (Svk), Erik Baska (Svk), Evgeny Petrov (Rus).

Organised by Ciclista Sports Sdn Bhd, the 21st edition of Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) from 24 February to 2 March, 2016 is set to cover more than 1,100km over 8 stages, the UCI 2.HC (hors category) race featuring again as one of the biggest events on the UCI Asia Tour calendar.

FIVE COMPANIES MAKE THEIR LTDL DEBUT IN THE CAVALCADE

(L-R) : Mr Shahiruddin Seeni Mohamad (Director Ciclista Sports Sdn Bhd), Mr Amir Ramlan (Marketing Executive K-Colly), Mr Omar Lokman (CEO LA Genius), Mr Mohd Nazim Ismail (Manager, Marketing & Corporate Communications Ar-Rahnu), Mr Micheal Tong (representative for NSK Trade City/HOD Cavalcade LTdL2016), Mr Mohd Nezzam Abd Malik (representative for Tourism Melaka) and Mr Emir Abdul Jalal (CEO LTdL 2016).

SHAH ALAM, 12 February 2016 - Le Tour de Langkawi's popular cavalcade returns in the 21st edition of the race from February 24 to March 2, with five newcomers set to make their presence felt.

The five new companies - Farzuan Richglobal Sdn Bhd (K-Colly), LA Genius Sdn Bhd, Rakyat Management Services Sdn Bhd (Ar-Rahnu X'Change), NSK Trade City Sdn Bhd and Tourism Melaka - officially presented their sponsorship in a ceremony held today.

In receiving the sponsorship, LTdL chief executive officer Emir Abdul Jalal welcomes all new sponsors to LTdL family, “After a year absence, the fan-favorite LTdL Cavalcade returns to entertain our supporters along the race route. Apart from our main sponsors, this year we have five new companies that will add more color to the convoy. I would like to thank all of them for their support,“

“The Cavalcade convoy is as important as the race itself, and the sponsors identify the significance of LTdL as a platform to raise awareness and promote their brand or product. The event constantly attracts attention and receives wide media coverage so I believe that with the partnership with LTdL will bring them the exposure that they seek. ” he added.

The convoy for LTdL 2016 cavalcade of cars decorated with sponsors’ liveries and colors will depart an hour prior to the start of the race and arrive at the finish an hour before the scheduled finish of every stage. A variety of souvenirs for the fans will be distributed along the route of the race by the convoy's entourage.

Organised by Ciclista Sports Sdn Bhd, the 21st edition of Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) from 24 February to 2 March, 2016 is set to cover more than 1,100km over 8 stages, the UCI 2.HC (hors category) race featuring again as one of the biggest events on the UCI Asia Tour calendar.