CYCLISTS INVADE PULAU INDAH 180

Winners for Junior Master Category

Winners for Master Category

Winners for Men & Women Open Category

PULAU INDAH, Sunday 17 January 2016 :  About 1,000 amateur cyclists from all walks of life converged in Pulau Indah for the first ever 180 km ride in conjunction of the upcoming Le Tour de Langkawi, scheduled to be held from 24 February to 2 March 2016.

Organized by Central Spectrum (M) Sdn Bhd (CSSB), Pulau Indah 180 was introduced to move away from the traditional short distance fun rides to hype up the atmosphere for LTdL and to bring cycling fans closer to the event, event manager Ciclista Sports Sdn Bhd have decided to capitalize on the immense popularity of century rides this time around.

The route, was flagged off from CSSB’s Office, Pulau Indah, taking riders through Pulau Indah Industrial Park (PIIP), Selangor Halal Hub and into the Pulau Indah Highway to Banting, Jenjarom and across to Teluk Panglima Garang, Morib and Bagan Lalang, then returning to Banting towards Sepang SIC, Olak Lempit, Pandamar and back towards the island crossing Pulau Indah Highway and finishing at CSSB’s Office, Pulau Indah, covering a total distance of 180km.

There were four categories with a total of RM 29,000 in prize money up for grabs; Men Open (18 – 35 years), Women Open (above 18), Junior Master (35 – 44 years) and Master (45 and above) categories. The event managed to attract local amateur cyclists as well as international participation from 17 countries.

Chief Executive Officer of Central Spectrum (M) Sdn Bhd Mahmud Abbas, who is also a cycling enthusiast, was amazed with the reception. “I am pleased with the significant turnout today and trust everyone had a memorable experience. We organize this ride not only to bring people to see the current development in the island; it is also to promote Pulau Indah out to the world. We look forward to having more visitors coming to the island after the event.”

Chief Executive Officer of LTdL 2016 Emir Abdul Jalal said this event is a pre-event promotional ride and also serves as a test run to make sure all our system run smoothly in preparation for Le Tour de Langkawi, coming this February.

“Our team made sure the organization of Pulau Indah 180 is run at the best standard, the route itself challenges the physical and mental of all our participants. I do hope that this event will become a yearly event.”

Pulau Indah 180 is managed by Ciclista Sports Sdn Bhd, and supported by Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, Kawan Food, Beacon Health, Sunplay, Trek Finder Tours, Ramly Food Industries Sdn Bhd, FFM Bhd, Garmin, Cycling Malaysia, Rock Tape and 100 PLUS EDGE.

Full results here >> http://racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=17036&RId=38

LE TOUR DE LANGKAWI WELCOMES ONE PRO CYCLING DEBUT IN THE BIG LEAGUE

Matt Goss

John Ebsen

The team in their new kit

SHAH ALAM, Tuesday 12 January 2016: Le Tour de Langkawi will host twenty-two teams from February 24 to March 2nd, one of which will make its first appearance to the Malaysian event with huge expectations. It’s One Pro Cycling, the first ever British UCI-registered Pro Continental squad. They’ll line up in Kangar with no less than the 2011 Milan-Sanremo winner Matt Goss from Australia.

“When we first talked to their sports director Matthew Winston, we felt this team was special and had a bright future”, the CEO of Le Tour de Langkawi Emir Abdul Jalal underlined. “We were the first H.C. race to invite Tinkoff and Slipstream [later renamed Garmin and now Cannondale] back in 2007. We wish One Pro Cycling to follow their path and be just as successful in years to come.”

Le Tour de Langkawi has a rich history of inviting newly created or newly promoted Pro Continental teams such as Cervélo and ISD in 2009, MTN in 2011 even before their upgrade to the big league, RusVelo in 2012. “We’re grateful to team managers like [Tinkoff’s] Stefano Feltrin, [Dimension Data’s] Douglas Ryder or Shayne Bannan from Orica-GreenEdge who remember our help on their debuts and keep sending their team to Malaysia every time it fits into their race schedule”, Emir added.

“We have worked hard to build a race calendar for One Pro Cycling in 2016 to both develop and challenge our squad whilst always looking to be competitive”, Winston commented. “To be accepted into Le Tour de Langkawi is testament to the squad that we’ve built and I’m confident we can travel to Malaysia not only to ride the race but to be challenging for good results.”

New recruit John Ebsen is no stranger to Le Tour de Langkawi as he took part in the past three editions with three different teams (Synergy Baku, CCN and Androni). He collected notable results with 8^th and 13^th overall in 2013 and 2014. The Danish climber is a strong supporter of the Asia Tour.

One Pro Cycling’s star rider on Malaysian roads will be Goss who is looking for redemption after a quiet 2015 season with MTN-Qhubeka. The 29 year old Australian sprinter who won the 2011 Milan-Sanremo and opened Orica-GreenEdge’s record book in the Grand Tours with a memorable stage victory over Mark Cavendish at the 2012 Giro d’Italia will have a few occasions to show that he remains a top sprinter.

One Pro Cycling will also attract some attention for using the new Factor bikes developed by former Tour de France stars Baden Cooke and David Millar.

ONE PRO CYCLING FOR LE TOUR DE LANGKAWI 2016:

Karol Domagalski (Pol), John Ebsen (Den), Matt Goss (Aus), Richard Handley (Gbr), George Harper (Gbr), James Oram (Nzl)

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.

A HIGH SPEED OCCASION IN THE 21st EDITION OF LTdL

PUTRAJAYA, Tuesday 5th January 2016 : The 21st edition of Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) from February 24 to March 2 will be marked by a first ever grand finish in the historic city of Melaka, while an eight-stage race format will see teams preparing for another grueling challenge, this time on the West Coast of Peninsula Malaysia.

Minister of Youth and Sports YB Khairy Jamaluddin announced today that the 2016 race route will redefine LTdL as ‘Asia’s Ultimate Challenge’, a battleground where top 11 world class teams from Europe will compete against 11 of Asia’s best.

"Not only that, we are expecting exciting competition from all the riders. The composition of the route will test all aspects of their capabilities, it will be an open race until the very end, which will definitely keep the fans excited," said Khairy.

From the 165.5 kilometer first stage that starts in Kangar, Perlis and ends in Baling, Kedah where riders will be faced with a challenging Cat. 3 climb at Weng just 30km to the finish on February 24, followed by the 159.2km second stage that starts in Kulim and ends with the race's first visit to the Penang Island since 2004.

The peloton will enter the island through the Penang Second Bridge, Jambatan Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah and will be greeted with two grueling climbs on the island at Balik Pulau (Cat.4) and 0 to 200m gradient uphill at Teluk Bahang (Cat.3), the race will be marked by significant differences, offering significant opportunities particularly for a thrilling battle among sprinters.

For a second year running, renovation works at the summit of Genting Highlands will mean the race will not feature its famous queen stage again and this time the similarly grueling climb up Cameron Highlands will play its part as the decisive stage that can determine the overall winner.

After a short 107km Stage Three from Kuala Kangsar to Tapah on February 26, the following day will be where the protagonists for the overall title will surface in the 129.4km Stage Four from Dataran MBI in Ipoh to Tanah Rata in Cameron Highlands.

From Stage Five, which covers 149.9km from Tapah to the previous traditional grand finish Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur, it will be a matter of how well the yellow jersey holder from the finish in Cameron Highlands controls the race as it is set for an epic battle for the points classification with the sprinters having four more stages clear of massive climbs to do battle.

The 147.6km Stage Six will pay homage to the main sponsors of the race - the Youth and Sports Ministry of Malaysia - with a start at Wisma KBS in Putrajaya and a finish in Rembau, Negri Sembilan, the hometown and constituency of Youth and Sports Minister YB Khairy Jamaluddin. This stage will feature a run through popular cycling routes and four short but tricky climbs in Broga, Lenggeng, Bukit Putus and Bukit Miku.

Then, the penultimate stage will feature the longest route of this year's LTdL, covering 203.2km from Seremban to Parit Sulong, offering an unpredictable situation with tiring legs mixed among those still hungry to make a difference in the standings.

The final day of the race sees a start in Batu Pahat, Johor, covering 119.9km with three 8.3km loops along major attractions and through the narrow roads of the world famous Jonker Street before the finish in Dataran Pahlawan, Melaka.

LTdL 2016 chief executive officer Emir Abdul Jalal said with the profile of the race set this way, teams will likely line up with some climbers set for the battle for the overall title in Cameron Highlands, while many are expected to come prepared for battles in the flat finishes, which will offer spectators the unbeatable spectacle of bunch sprints.

"We can expect it to be a race for the spectators at the finish lines to enjoy. We can already visualize the peloton hitting top speed on a number of occasions," said Emir.

“Besides the route, we aim to re-position LTdL back to the top level of organization, the "excellent level of organisation" certificate was attained from 2010 to 2014 acknowledged by the International Cycling Union (UCI). “

“In terms of promotion, we will continue our collaboration with sports channel Eurosports. 8 hour Highlights of the race will be broadcasted in Eurosports Asia Pacific and 80 minutes in Eurosport 1, Eurosports 2 to over 100 countries at an estimation of 500 million viewers. Also with Internet TV site Cycling TV that has over a million subscribers worldwide.

Also present in the launching were Ministry of Youth and Sports Secretary General Datuk Jamil Bin Salleh, National Sports Council Director General Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail, Ministry of Defence Chief of Defence Forces Jeneral Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin, Royal Malaysia Police Federal Traffic Chief YDH Tuan SAC Mohd Akhir Darus, Malaysian National Cycling Federation president Datuk Haji Abu Samah Abdul Wahab, state officials and tour sponsors.

Le Tour de Langkawi 2016 Route

STAGE 1, Wednesday 24^th February 2016 : Kangar – Baling (165.5km)

STAGE 2, Thursday 25^th February 2016 : Sungai Petani – Georgetown (159.8km)

STAGE 3, Friday 26^th February 2016 : Kulim – Kuala Kangsar (107km)

STAGE 4, Saturday 27^th February 2016 : Ipoh – Cameron Highlands (129.5km)

STAGE 5, Sunday 28^th February 2016 : Tapah – Kuala Lumpur (149.9km)

STAGE 6, Monday 29^th February 2016 : Putrajaya – Rembau (147.6km)

STAGE 7, Tuesday 1^st March 2016 : Seremban – Parit Sulong (203.2km)

STAGE 8, Wednesday 2^nd March 2016 : Batu Pahat – Melaka Loop (119.9km)

TOTAL DISTANCE : 1182.4km

For more details please visit : http://www.ltdl.com.my/index.asp