THE SPARK IS BACK IN LTDL
Petronas’ entry re-energises Asia’s oldest race
DUBBED as Asia’s oldest and biggest cycling race, Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) is said to be going downhill in recent years, dragging its respected status along.
But with Petronas coming in this year and riding in tandem as LTdL’s main sponsor, things are beginning to look up again.
As the 24th LTdL ended on Sunday in Langkawi, the organisers will look back with satisfaction, that the race has been organised smoothly, without the issues that have marred some of the past editions.
For the first time since 2015, the LTdL reconnected with the place from where it all started — Langkawi island. That’s how it should be. Seriously, what is the Tour de France without France?
And the prestige of the race went up a notch with the “premium” Genting Highlands stage making a much welcome return
after five years with the Hors Class queen stage.
There was much to cheer for local fans as Team Sapura Cycling (TSC) became only the second Malaysian team (after Terengganu Cycling Team last year) to win the LTdL yellow jersey via Australian rider Benjamin Dyball.
Terengganu Cycling Team’s Harrif Saleh, a fan favourite among the local cycling community, became only the second Malaysian rider to win a stage in LTdL when he triumphed on the second day.
The Malaysian national team also did well to finish second in the Asian team category and a respectable 11th out of 21 teams in the team general classification.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was present at both the start and finishing line in Langkawi, said he was pleased with the revival of LTdL.
“It (LTdL) had lost some of its shine, it was shortened and so on but I believe it has come alive again,” he said.
“I can see that the spirit we had before is back. The public also seem happy with this event and many came out to see it this year.
“This race has many benefits as it runs from eight to 10 days and is held across the country instead of just in one place.
“The stage going up Genting Highlands was also televised to millions of people around the world, which gives Malaysia very good publicity,” added Dr Mahathir.
For many of the top foreign riders, after battling all the way from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi Island over eight stages covering 1,239.6km, they have only good things to say about LTdL.
Australian Benjamin Dyball, winner of the yellow jersey and American Travis McCabe, who won the green jersey (sprinters classification), both gave the thumbs-up to LTdL.
Dyball, a man of few words, said: “The general atmosphere of the entire tour has been really good.
“It was great to see the Sapura Fan Club on the Genting Highlands stage, I have never experienced that before.”
McCabe, who rides for American outfit Floyd’s Pro Cycling, said; “This is my second time in Malaysia and it was an excellent race. I was here in 2017 and won two stages but I was not able to win the sprint jersey. To win it this year and have a successful campaign with Floyd’s is great.
“The heat and humidity played a big factor, adding a hill like Genting Highlands does not make it any easier for guys like me. “But we love it, everyone was super supportive and cheered us on. I am super excited to come back here in 2020.”
Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)’s Commissaire Sven Calus said the LTdL was well-organised without any major issues that went against the world body’s protocol and standards.
Human Voyage chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Mustafa said the race, organised at a cost of about RM20 million this year, went relatively smoothly.
“We had some minor hiccups here and there but nothing major, only things which need some improvement,” said Ahmad.
“We will conduct a postmortem and see where we can continue to better ourselves for the next edition.”