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(L – R) Mr Shahirudeen Seeni Mohamed (Director Ciclista
Sports Sdn Bhd), Mr Emir Abdul Jalal (CEO LTdL 2017), Mr Nik Abdul Kadir
(Deputy Secretary General, Youth and Sports Ministry Malaysia), Mr Saiffil
Fariz Mohamad Yusuff (Co-Founder & Chief Technology & Marketing
Officer, Maxxima Health Sciences (M)) and Mr Eddie Idris (Marketing Manager,
Maxxima Health Sciences (M)).
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PUTRAJAYA, Friday, 10 February 2017 : The second most popular jersey
at the Tour de France after the yellow one of race leader is the polka dot, as
general public is amazed by the climbers. Le Tour de Langkawi might be most
famous for its sprinting competition but the King of the Mountains is always
praised for its achievements as well.
Recently awarded with the ultimate recognition for SMEs as one of the
fastest moving companies in Malaysia, Maxxima Health Sciences (M) Sdn Bhd
(Maxxima) through its multi-award winning product (CellMaxx®) made a bold move
to support The Ministry of Youth and Sports by sponsoring the King of the
Mountain jersey for Le Tour de Langkawi (LTDL) 2017.
Since the inception of Le Tour de Langkawi in 1996, Maxxima had become
the first network marketing company with the biggest amount of contribution to
become the main sponsor for one of the world’s most prestigious cycling event.
The company had gone even further to show its support and commitment by
sponsoring the Malaysia National Team as well.
“Malaysian hills are known as talent’s detectors. As such we believe
handing the King of the Mountain jerseys to their daily and overall winner is a
symbolic presentation of our appreciation to the talent for their achievements
in becoming the first cyclist to reach the highest altitude of the race and at
maximum efforts on every route”, said the Chief Technology & Marketing
Officer of Maxxima, Saiffil Fariz Mohamad Yusuff.
“Maxxima allocated RM10 million for branding purposes this year.
Contributing to the success of LTdL 2017 is within our direction to introduce
CellMaxx® as sports nutrition drink while upholding our minister’s vision, YB
Khairy Jamaludin to better the lifestyle and future of the youth & young
generation to the max, hence the company’s brand name, Maxxima”
In 21 editions, only three
riders have won it twice: Colombia’s Ruber Marin and José Serpa, both racing
for Gianni Savio’s team now called Androni, and China’s Wang Meiyin who has set
a benchmark for Asian cycling in the recent history of the Malaysian race.
“Wang’s move to the WorldTour
with Bahrain-Merida and his fame in general have a lot to do with the climber’s
reputation he built for himself by being the King of the Mountains at our race
in 2013 and 2016”, said the CEO of Le Tour de Langkawi Emir Abdul Jalal.
“He fought for every point up
for grab, in the short third category climbs as well as in Genting Highlands
and in the Cameron Highlands where he also won the stage in 2013. Malaysian
hills are talent’s detectors.”
Interestingly, the KOM
competition has been won by Colombian cyclists only five times so far. It means
it’s open to more cyclists than the pure climbers. However, they’ll line up in
Kuala Terengganu on February 22 as hot favorites this time around. Pro
Continental Colombian outfit Manzana-Postobon has designated Fernando Orjuela
and Bernardo Suaza for their Asian trip from Bogotà.
Savio will be back with three
excellent Colombian climbers: Rodolfo Torres, a favorite for the overall,
prodigy Egan Bernal and 19 year old Ivan Sosa who surprised a few observers by
coming seventh overall in the Vuelta Tachira in Venezuela last month. Daniel
Jaramillo who finished second overall at LTdL last year will be back with
Unitedhealthcare.
“In any case, we’ll have a new
face as King of the Mountains as none of the previous winners will be on the
start list”, Emir noted. “They have either quit cycling or moved to teams that
won’t be coming to Le Tour de Langkawi this year. It’ll make an interesting
competition and I’m sure some Asians will target it as well.”
Kings
of the Mountains at Le Tour de Langkawi :
1996:
Chris Newton (G.-B.)
1997:
Heinrich Trumheller (Ger)
1998:
Douglas Ryder (RSA)
1999:
Alessandro Petacchi (Ita)
2000:
Julio Alberto Perez Cuapio (Mex)
2001:
Paolo Lanfranchi (Ita)
2002:
Ruber Marin (Col)
2003:
Roland Green (Can)
2004:
Ruber Marin (Col)
2005:
Ryan Cox (RSA)
2006:
David George (RSA)
2007:
Walter Pedraza (Col)
2008:
Filippo Savini (Ita)
2009:
José Serpa (Col)
2010:
Peter McDonald (Aus)
2011:
Jonathan Monsalve (Ven)
2012:
José Serpa (Col)
2013:
Wang Meiyin (Chn)
2014:
Matt Brammeier (Irl)
2015:
Kiel Reijnen (USA)
2016: Wang
Meiyin (Chn)
Organised by the
Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia and managed by Ciclista Sports Sdn Bhd,
the 22nd edition of Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) from 22 February to 1 March,
2017 is set to cover more than 1,200km over 8 stages, the UCI 2.HC (hors
category) race featuring again as one of the biggest events on the UCI Asia
Tour calendar.
CellMaxx® was brought into the market early in 2014. It received tremendous
support from the market and gain substantial momentum of consumers’ growth
within months. In 2015 CellMaxx® received the Asia Pacific Top Golden Brand
Products Award. The company made a history in 2016 when it became the first
ever network marketing company in the world to brand their product on a plane livery
whilst choosing Air Asia as their brand partner.
“This year we are gearing to
supply market’s demand for sports nutrition drinks with a new product under CellMaxx® lines of products. It will be in liquid form
in bottles that will make it easier and faster to consume.”
CellMaxx® with its green brand color will surely enliven the competition and
make this year’s edition of Le Tour de Langkawi greener.
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