Harrif eyes first stage win in 10th LTdL appearance

KUALA LUMPUR: Terengganu Inc-TSG Cycling Team rider Mohamed Harrif Salleh has had five podium finishes in nine appearances in the Le Tour de Langkawi ( LTdL).

What the 30- year- old wants from this year’s 24th- edition, though, is to finally stand at the top of the podium by winning at least one stage of the eight- stage race, which begins today with the 176.9-kilometre route from KLCC to Tampin.

“I will go all out this year as I feel that I have a good chance in the absence of Pro Tour riders,” he told a press conference on the eve of the opening race here yesterday.

He has, so far, finished third four times ( Stage Four and Stage Six last year, Stage Four in 2012 and Stage One in 2011) and second once (Stage Eight in 2012).

The sprint ace, who underwent three weeks of intensive training in Melbourne, Australia, believes he has a bright chance of winning the 200.1 km Stage Five from Tanjung Malim to Taiping, which has three sprint zones in Sungkai, Kampar and Sungai Siput.

He is also optimistic of his chances in Stage Six (Bagan-Alor Setar) and Stage Seven, which starts and ends at Pantai Cenang, Langkawi.

Harrif said he would also try to help his team achieve their bestever overall standings in a bid to improve their Asian Tour ranking as the LTdL is a UCI (International Cycling Union) 2 Hors Class category status event.

Meanwhi le, Team Sapura Cycling ( TSC) rider Muhamad Zawawi Azman expects this year’s race to be more open and aggressive as the continental and pro continental teams slug it out for victory.

“The absence of the Pro Tour teams has given us the chance to go for glory. We are eyeing the yellow jersey (overall winner). Personally, I will try to get a podium finish, especially in Stage Five as it will be held in my home state,” said the 24year- old Zawawi, who hails from Parit Buntar, Perak.

The 132 riders from 22 teams will also cover seven more stages, starting with Stage Two from Senawang-Melaka; Stage Three ( Muar- Putrajaya); Stage Four (Shah Alam- Genting Hinglands); Stage Five ( Tanjung MalimTaiping); Stage Six ( Bagan-Alor Setar); Stage Seven (start and end at Pantai Cenang, Langkawi); and Stage Eight (the Dataran LangKuah Loop). — Bernama