26 November 2012 MONDAY, KUALA LUMPUR: The 18th edition of Asia's biggest cycling race, Le Tour de Langkawi, beckons and it will be welcomed by two pre-event rides for the fans - the Putrajaya Hot Ride on January 27 and the Naturally Langkawi Round Island (NLRI) ride on February 20, 2013.
In meeting the organisers' aims of giving fans a first hand experience of the hype around the race, the Putrajaya Hot Ride on January 27 is geared towards promoting Le Tour de Langkawi in two categories of cycling. The first ride will be a 60 kilometre tour around Putrajaya open to cyclists using road bikes and a 20 kilometres ride for bicycles of all types.
These events are also part of the Youth and Sports Ministry's support of the Healthy Lifestyle Through Cycling campaign, apart from promoting Putrajaya as a destination for cycling and recreation.
Each entry for the Putrajaya Hot Ride will be charged RM60 and will receive a Hot Ride t-shirt, a race number and a certificate of participation for those who complete the ride. A lucky draw will also be held at the end of the event.
LTdL chief operating officer Emir Abdul Jalal said the organisers hope all cycling enthusiasts especially those in the Klang Valley, including national, back-up, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor cyclists participate to make the event, which starts at the Palace of Justice in Precinct 3, a success.
"LTdL belongs to all Malaysians who continue to support the Tour since its inception in 1996, so they should not forgo this opportunity to welcome the arrival of the 18th edition of LTdL," said Emir.
The inaugural Naturally Langkawi Round Island ride is aimed at supporting the 'Naturally Langkawi' promotional campaign recently launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak.
"LTdL supports the initiative by the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) which aims to develop the island into one of the 10 top island destinations in the world by 2015, in line with the Langkawi Tourism Blueprint 2011-2015. We believe that the NLRI can attract cyclists from all over the world to the island.
"The best way to explore the island is obviously by cycling as visitors will get to experience all the island has to offer from wonderful beaches, natural rainforests, flora and fauna and get to know the people and their culture," said Emir.
"NLRI is a golden opportunity for its participants to welcome the 18th edition of LTdL and meet the professional riders who will be competing in the race in a hi-tea gathering held a day before the race begins."
Each entry for the NLRI will be charged RM160 and it is open to cyclists using road bike, who will cover a distance of 65 kilometres, of which in the final three kilometres they will be joined by the LTdL cyclists in the 3km loop into Dataran Lang in Kuah.
Entries for this ride will also receive a commemorative t-shirt, name-tags, race numbers, medals and certificates for those who complete the ride. A lucky draw will also be held, in which contestants stand to win attractive prizes including flight tickets, holiday packages, electrical and telecommunications goods, such as smartphones and tablets.
Registration forms can be downloaded via the LTdL website or Facebook pages of cycling communities.
The LTdL 2013, which carries the slogan "The Heat is On", will officially begin in Kangar on February 21 and the race comprises 10 stages, covering 1466.6 kilometres.
The 18th edition of the race is marked not only by its return to its legendary birthplace, but also a challenging route which features two tough climbs up Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands.
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