TOUR of BORNEO 2012 LAUNCHED!

PUTRAJAYA, Tuesday - 15th November 2011: For the first time, an international level cycling race - Tour of Borneo will be held in Sabah, from April 27 to May 1 next year.

Organized Sabah State Cycling Association (SCA), the five-day tour involves five stages covering a total distance of 674.4 kilometres and is listed in the UCI Asian Tour calendar, adding a new challenge in the International road race scene in Asia, along with well renowned Le Tour de Langkawi and Jelajah Malaysia.

Sanctioned by Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) and the International Cycling Union (UCI). For the inaugural edition, SCA expects participation of 20 professional teams from the 5 continents of America, Europe, Africa, Oceania and Asia, including Malaysia.

Tour of Borneo patron, the Honourable YB Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie bin Haji Apdal while officiating the launch in Putrajaya today said, the first edition of Tour of Borneo hopes to bring great success to the sports and tourism industry of Sabah and Malaysia.

“The 5 stages race beginning from 27th April will start from my beloved hometown Semporna, an idyllic district renowned for its best diving spots in the world like Sipadan, Mabul and Sitangkai.”

"From there the riders will proceed to Tawau, Lahad Datu, and Sandakan before they face the grueling mountain highlands leading to Kundasang, the base of Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in South East Asia. The race will end in the West Coast of Sabah, on 1st of May 2012 covering the district of Kota Kinabalu, Papar and Penampang.”

"I believe the combination of these routes have been selected to bring excitement and challenge for the riders," he said at the launching ceremony held at the Visitor’s Lounge of Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, Precinct 4, Putrajaya today.

According to Datuk Seri Shafie, other than competing for the overall title, riders would also have the opportunity to experience the uniqueness of ‘Kaamatan Festival’; which is celebrated on May 1 of every year.

At the same time, he also hopes that organizing international cycling events in the state will generate interest in the sport of cycling among youths of Sabah, and to produce professional cycling team in the future.

Furthermore, to ensure the 2012 Tour of Borneo a successful event, he hoped that more private sector and individuals to come forward to help sponsor the tour.

Datuk Seri Shafie added, discussion is underway to broadcast the daily race highlights in national TV channels, as well as working with various media locally and internationally to promote the tour.

"It will be the best medium for sponsors to promote their products, goods and their logo to the mass audience at each start, finish locations and along the race route used during the event while major tour sponsor will get the best exposure which is the yellow jersey, leader of the race," he said.

- End

NOW FOR THE FINAL PUSH

23 October 2011, MELAKA - Karamjit Singh has put himself right in the hunt for the overall title in the Malaysian Rally Championship 2011.

A fine performance by the 48-year old Karamjit over the weekend at Round 3 of the championship in Tanjong Bidara, Melaka has put him within reach of the overall crown.

It is now only a two point gap separating him and the leader Muhamma Rafiq Udhaya as they head for the fourth and final showdown in two months time.

Karamjit for all his effort in Melaka over the weekend where he won on both days has 28 points now and Muhammad Rafiq finishing second best to Karamjit on both days, is still the overall leader on 30 points.

But for now Karamjit and co-driver Vivek Ponnusamy are the undisputed winner taking their Mitsubishi Lancer past everyone with ease. Even Muhammad Rafiq and his Subaru Impreza alongside Sean Gregory, who finished second,just could not handle the pace.

Karamjit's total winning time for the round was 1hr:53:19.7sec for the entire 125km race with Muhammad Rafiq coming in second on 2hrs: 06:53.9secs, a good 13 minutes behind.

Third overall was the young driver Kenneth Koh and Nicole Gill in their Proton Satria in 2hrs: 19:28.3secs.

The day had started brilliantly for Karamjit, just like the opening day on Saturday where he was in terrific form and just like Saturday, he was in total control from the start to the end.

"That's they joy of rallying. When everything goes your way and the car respond to your every touch, you know you are in for a comfortable drive. I am happy that I have won both rounds here in Malacca which has kept me in the hunt for the overall title.

"I have won the overall title a total of eleven times and I want to make it a dozen," said Karamjit.

A total of 25 cars took part in the rally and for the first time in the championship two environment friendly fueled cars took part in the race, a Daihatsu Tomaso and a Perodua Kelisa.

NOW WHO CAN STOP KARAMJIT

22 October 2011, MELAKA - Karamjit Singh was in no mood to be beaten as he steered his Mitsubishi Lancer to victory in the opening day of Round 3 of the Malaysian Rally Championship in Tanjung Bidara, Melaka yesterday.

The 48-year old Karamjit, was just too fast and too good for the 24-competitor field to finish Day one which cover a total distance of 72 kilometres, to take the winner's flag in style.

In fact he was brilliant and over the entire seven stages of the race which included a special stage of 2.41km held at the Masjid Tanah Industrial Estate, he never had any trouble at all to return a total time of 1 hr 02:28.8secs which is a good seven minute lead over the second placed Muhammad Rafiq Udhaya and his co-driver Sean Gregory.

There is another six stages to come on Day 2 on Sunday to complete the Melaka leg but on the strength of his performance on the opening day, Karamjit and his co-driver Vivek Ponnusamy, are headed for a brilliant finish to the round.

The pair, who are driving under the GSR Pennzoil banner are lying third overall behind leader and defending overall champion Muhammad Rafiq with a six-point gap but things could change when it's all over.

For now Muhammad Rafiq in his Subaru Impreza are still the overall leader but only just because their second placed finishing yesterday was just about enough to keep them in front.

Muhammad Rafiq and co-driver Sean Gregory clocked a total of 1hr: 10:03.1secs with third placed Mike and Maruthi Arokiasamy in a Proton Satria in 1hr 15:03.0secs.

It was clear Muhammad Rafiq was just contented to stay in the hunt and not try anything spectacular simply because he knows his chances are still wide open.

"It was a comfortable drive for me today. Even though the track conditions changes from stage to stage, I was in control of the situation. Another good race tomorrow and another good round in the final race next month and I could still end up champion," said Karamjit.